Technology Plan Essay Example

participation rates. Being present for students is extremely valued and encourages belief in their abilities. Observing a student acquire new skills, such as navigating a computer program, is gratifying as their teacher. This encompasses the essence of teaching: making a positive impact on students' lives and expanding their knowledge. As an aspiring Progressive educator, I strongly believe in nurturing students' innate curiosity.According to Cooper (2010), progressive education emphasizes learning through individual experiences. Therefore, by tapping into students' interests and cultural beliefs, we can help them gain a deeper understanding of various subjects. Creating the optimal learning environment is crucial in promoting creativity and interactivity among students. It is essential to establish an atmosphere that values individuality and fosters trust. Additionally, integrating technology into the classroom allows for a more engaging learning experience. Students benefit from interactive examples, hands-on activities, and projects that facilitate successful learning. By incorporating computers and other technological resources, students have convenient access to information and the opportunity to develop conflict resolution skills.

To enhance their communication abilities, I plan to initiate a class project at the beginning of the school year where each student chooses a country to study and establishes a pen pal relationship. This project encourages communication through both letters and emails, providing consistent opportunities for students to improve their writing skills. To ensure appropriateness and safety, I will review all communications before they are sent out.

Encouraging students to independently overcome challenges also motivates them to delve deeper into their own areas of expertiseI will maintain ongoing communication with my students throughout the project, using letters or emails. This allows me to support their growth and share important information within

the school context. Having a pen pal can greatly benefit students who want to learn about different countries. They can acquire knowledge in various subjects such as math, where they learn about time zones, temperatures, and differences in sunrise and sunset times. In social studies, they explore topics like culture, religion, language while also practicing map skills by locating mentioned places.

Science lessons involve examining weather differences and studying animals in various climates like the Arizona desert. It is important for us to learn as much as we can from this experience. To join the global community of teachers and engage with one another while learning new ideas and teaching methods, classroom teachers can join Pals - a free platform for teacher connections. Pals Schoolbag offers password protection to create a safe online publishing environment where teachers can oversee student posts and control access to content. With Pals, teachers have an opportunity to expand their knowledge by reading about new things for classrooms while also seeing how they work.

This text emphasizes the importance of thinking creatively and exchanging ideas. It also highlights the use of email as a means of communication between teachers and parents, allowing for updates on grades and missing assignments. Email is preferred over physical notes due to its efficiency and reliability. The classroom will address internet safety, stressing the dangers of sharing personal information online. Students will be monitored while using computers to prevent distractions. Using computers instead of textbooks allows for easier searching and enhances learning experiences. Learning computer skills is crucial in today's world. Connecting with other countries provides opportunities for gaining new ideas and effective strategies. In the

classroom, an overhead projector will be used for lesson planning due to its convenience in writing and erasing during teaching sessions.
In addition, the use of an overhead projector in the classroom has multiple benefits. Students enjoy engaging with this technology and feel empowered when they can showcase their skills in front of others. Writing on the overhead promotes self-esteem, enhances confidence, fosters unity among students, and encourages hands-on learning. Compared to flashcards or posters, transparencies used with the overhead are more durable and can be preserved even with energetic children, according to Busy Teacher. This technology is particularly advantageous for visually-oriented learners as it enables them to understand problem-solving methods through visual means.

Furthermore, I plan to incorporate computers into my teaching methods. Students will have access to Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for conducting research papers and creating slide shows. Vicky Romano's suggestion of using a word processing program to document weekly learnings is especially appealing; each student can contribute one or two sentences throughout the week, which can then be printed as a complete document at the end of the week and sent home. By utilizing Microsoft Word, students can also improve their typing skills and grammar. Additionally, keeping a daily log not only enhances typing abilities but also improves thinking abilities.In order to facilitate learning about different subjects or topics, power points are used for class presentations. These allow students to have control over designing their power point based on their preferences - whether they prefer simple or elaborate designs. By providing various options for completing assignments, student interest and engagement can be maintained. Computers not only benefit students but also teachers. To enhance

communication with both staff and parents, a convenient way for parents to access their child's progress is provided through a click. This allows parents to stay updated on their child's activities, maintain contact with teachers, and ensure completion of homework or address areas needing more focus. This initiative encourages increased parental involvement in the learning process.

In my classroom, calculators are incorporated; however, it is important that students first understand the problem-solving process before using them. I personally demonstrate proper calculator usage and emphasize its limited necessity. It is crucial to monitor student activity and ensure correct utilization of calculators. Graphing calculators offer several benefits such as aiding visual comprehension of graph patterns, providing alternative approaches to problem solving, and saving time with numerical data (USGS). This approach helps students gain a comprehensive understanding and find effective solutions. Our goal is to promote knowledge expansion through learning.
Although technology provides convenience for students, it can inadvertently promote a lack of effort and easy answers (Bayle, 1998). Incorporating technology in classrooms may hinder intellectual growth by removing critical thinking from the student's process (p.618). Additionally, increased accessibility to information through technology has led to a rise in cheating and plagiarism as students can easily search and copy others' work from the internet (p align="justify"). Unfortunately, many students fail to understand the seriousness of plagiarism and its consequences. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of avoiding plagiarism and educate students on proper research and resource utilization for their papers. The distinction between wired and wireless classrooms lies in whether cords are present or not. Personally, I prefer a wired classroom because it allows me to connect cords to

computers or TVs for optimal functionality. "If my classroom had wireless computers that stopped working, fixing them would not be as easy as with corded computers that need to be plugged in" (Kim, Holmes & Aims). According to Kim et al., mobile wireless technology enables users to perform tasks such as taking pictures or writing notes anywhere they go. Using wireless technology offers the advantage of freedom from being confined to a computer lab or desk while also broadening available resources by allowing devices to be moved around different classrooms.In addition, wireless technology eliminates the inconvenience of tangled cords and limited plugs. Therefore, my plan is to use basic technology in my classroom as it is easier for both me and my students to understand. It's important to remember that teachers have a more significant impact on a student's success than technology does. Technology offers a more convenient way to find answers and access resources for completing assignments. As an educator, I must ensure that my students are knowledgeable about these technologies; thus, I provide various learning tools in my classroom.

Moreover, teachers can utilize technology to assess student learning. Students can also employ technology for various educational purposes such as conducting tests, recording data, creating graphs, and designing experiments. These activities enable teachers to evaluate their students' progress and comprehension of the material. Thanks to technology advancements, there are now multiple options available for taking tests - both traditional paper-based exams and computer-based assessments.

Personally, I firmly believe that implementing self-paced tests would address the issue of rushing through exams or second-guessing due to time constraints or incomplete understanding of the questions. This common occurrence is

not advantageous for students. Furthermore, technology plays an essential role in establishing effective learning environments.
The use of technology in the classroom introduces real-world problems and provides opportunities for complex learning experiences. It also delivers feedback to enhance reasoning skills and fosters communities among instructors, administrators, and students alike. Additionally, it expands learning opportunities for educators (Carmen). However, relying solely on technology for assessing student learning is not ideal because teachers need a personal understanding of each individual student's needs and abilities. They should be aware of strengths and weaknesses to customize lessons accordingly. Personally, I would observe students in the classroom and provide feedback to demonstrate attentiveness to their progress. It is important to note that technology can only analyze given information and does not consider a student's individuality or level of effort. There is also a risk of losing saved documents when using technology. Achieving full teacher adoption of technology requires significant time and effort. As technology becomes more prevalent, students may engage in meaningful conversations with peers but it remains uncertain if a teacher will guide the learning process (Hanson). Assessments that do not require technology include homework exercises, writing papers, delivering oral presentations, and responding to oral inquiries (Hanson).Summative assessments are utilized to evaluate the knowledge acquired after completing a chapter or exam (STALL'S), building upon previous knowledge. Homework functions as a formative assessment while hands-on activities engage students and reinforce understanding. The assessment process includes setting goals for students. Both formative and summative assessments play a crucial role in evaluating student progress and identifying areas requiring improvement. Formative assessments aim to teach students how to learn, whereas summative assessments test their

ability to recall taught material (Garb). Teachers often use their own tests, similar to external assessments, to predict student performance; however, they may lack sufficient knowledge about each student's individual learning needs. Data analysis is an essential tool for teachers as it helps them understand each student's requirements and progression. This information can also aid in identifying areas necessitating intervention. Various methods such as attendance records, behavior observations, performance evaluations, administrative data, and perceptual data are employed by teachers to collect data. PowerPoint presentations and graphs are used for reviewing student progress. More comprehensive information allows teachers to better support their students and ensure their success. Different teaching methods are necessary in order to meet the diverse needs of all studentsPrograms such as the Demark reading program and the STAR program can help achieve this goal. High-stakes tests often prioritize multiple-choice questions, placing too much emphasis on simple problems and algorithmic solutions. In my classroom, I would give priority to teaching internet safety as it is crucial for proper computer usage. To ensure that students remember and understand the safety rules, it is important to review them every time we use computers. Regularly repeating and reinforcing knowledge can enhance information retention. The OR teaching method involves substituting everyday vocabulary with scientific terms, repeating new terms, and reviewing them daily to aid students in remembering what they learn. A sheet will be provided for parents to sign in order to inform them about classroom rules and ensure both parents and students are aware of the rules. Ensuring student safety can be achieved by observing their computer screens while moving around the classroom. District schools have implemented

a filtering system that blocks unnecessary pop-ups and websites, benefiting teachers who supervise multiple students. Blocking unwanted websites gives teachers more confidence in controlling internet usage. It is essential to acknowledge that all internet content has a copyright owned by someone else. Copyright enforcement has become more complicated in the digital age due to digitization and the widespread use of the internet.Given the ease of making and sharing copies of content worldwide, it is crucial for students to comprehend the importance of citing sources when using information or images (Haskell). A useful approach to teach copyright ethics is to have each student create a drawing based on their own ideas. This exercise helps students understand that claiming someone else's work as their own, such as taking another student's drawing and saying it belongs to them, is equivalent to stealing from the original creator. With the internet making it even easier to pass off others' words or images as your own, highlighting the significance of always giving credit to the original source becomes essential. Additionally, I will inform my students about the severe consequences of plagiarism. By emphasizing the need to write their names on all papers and projects, we can prevent others from taking credit for their work. Consequently, they will realize that without proper attribution, they won't receive recognition for any assignment. To ensure academic integrity is maintained, I will closely monitor my students' computer activities in class as they grasp these principles. Cheating involving plagiarizing someone else's work is not acceptable and can result in a failing grade. The consequences for cheating vary depending on the grade level: elementary students get two strikes

before receiving an F, while middle and high school students automatically fail. Addressing negative actions or victimization online should not be solely one person's responsibility;Parents who have home computers should ensure that they educate their children about safe internet usage. It is important to only use the internet for necessary homework purposes and avoid engaging in unnecessary online activities. In my classroom, I will consistently review internet rules whenever assignments require its use. By practicing these rules, we can strive for perfection in our online behavior.

Schools can help restrict student access and provide a sense of security by blocking certain websites. Additionally, close monitoring of students and ensuring they are on appropriate websites helps keep them focused. A fair approach would be giving students two strikes before revoking their internet privileges.

Teacher educators must avoid defensive teaching practices that compromise ethical codes, moral obligations, and suppress student voices. Quality teaching leads to quality learning (Salesman). Therefore, it is crucial to utilize the internet effectively while being cautious and avoiding inappropriate activities.

To achieve this, it is important to educate ourselves on internet regulations and define clear objectives regarding online activities. While chat sites and messengers may seem appealing, they are not suitable for school environments as our primary focus should be on learning rather than socializing.To prioritize student safety, it is crucial to limit internet usage unless necessary for assignments following guidelines. Incorporating enjoyable activities like playing a Jeopardy game can effectively promote understanding of technology safety and ensure lasting impact. Schools should fully comprehend various technological devices that can be used in education settings. My objective is to assist students in learning appropriate methods personally, by

identifying effective strategies for each individual instead of just catering to the majority. Additionally, my technology plan includes establishing rules with consequences for non-compliance. Listening attentively to teachers is highly important as we are here to support our students and educate them on the most efficient way to acquire knowledge.