My current classroom experience

Right now the main class that I am observing is digging into the novel Brave New World. For those of you who are not familiar with the book, it is about a very, very futuristic and technologically advanced society that encounters several "difficulties." While students have not done a lot of independent work that would allow them to use technology themselves, I think that the book itself has been really eye opening for them as to how far-reaching technology could become.

another class I look in on is the Newspaper class. The library has several Mac laptops that students can check out and use (with wireless internet on campus everywhere) and students make use of these almost every day. They save photos and article drafts, edit eachother's work using Track Changes on Word, and email back and forth constantly. It is really cool that they have those available to them.

One other class I get to watch is an IB English class. The teacher is very into technology and uses things like an Elmo and a projector and oftec a cd player or ipod almost every day. That is how he transmits homework assignments or collective reading assignments to the class for everyone to see.

Productivity Software

I think that it is safe to say that a vast majority of students today with access to computers are fairly proficient or completely knowledgeable about computer programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. In fact, with the growing interest wth online classes and interactions between students, it is probably safe to also assume that many student are familiar with productivity software like Google docs and Picasa. That being said, I may not have to do much in the way of teaching students how to use these programs, except for those that may be technological immigrants, as I am. However, there are ways that I can herlp them learn to better use these tools - the main way I can do this is through INTEGRATION.

The more I allow students to use mediums other than just Word or pen and paper, even, to present research materials or to formulate projects, the more that they will become accustomed to using these tools in everyday life. If I can give them opportunities to build on their existing skill sets then they will continue to learn and grow in this area. That being said, it is up to me to create lessons and give assignments that allow students free reign to create and explore the software that is out there at their disposal.

Where will I and my classroom be in 5 or 10 years?

I think that it is really hard to say. Right now it is looking like I may be working at a private school in Montana; private school status means that technology access is never really stable. While the one I am looking at working for is pretty financially stable, public schools often have much greater access to state funds, and grants for technology. I see textbooks becoming somewhat obsolete, and interactive learning taking their place - this would, i think, especially pertain to science and history classes. English classes may not be quite so affected, however, due to the lasting creative genuis of the books being studied. I see interactive classrooms and workshops becoming very popular - especially since field trips could be taken right in the classroom. Trips to the museum, to a science lab, all brought to the students' fingertips. Will teachers even lecture? Or will podcasting and online lectures take the place of actually sitting in on a class? Will students learn as much by staring at a screen? Or do they ultimately learn more from having a personal relationship with their teachers and classmates? I know that for me personally, I will proable integrate technology as much as I can, but I will also really make an effort to keep class discussion and hands-on research and experience a part of my classes.

More SMART Board reflections

Since there are not many pre-created lesson plans for English classes, especially in the upper level classes, I would need to create any lessons I wanted to present on the SMART Board. While this would take more time on my part, it may be worth it for some lessons. The Board could prove useful with grammar lessons, especially, as students could see and touch the words and sentences while working with them. However ,with many upper level English classes, discussions are often the predominant form of learning.

I love the idea of being able to play games like Jeopardy on the Board - this could be a great review tool!

Panel Questions

1. In what ways were you most prepared for technology in your classrooms? In what ways were you most unprepared?

2. What is your favorite technology-integrated lesson plan that you have taught?

3. Do you use an online gradebook program or a regular pen and paper system? What are the pros and cons of either?

Assignment #4

*a link to the lesson I presented in class can be found under the "projects" heading on the sidebar*


This activity meets several education requirementst, including the following:
EALR WA.1 - the student writes clearly an effectively.
Component 1.1 - develop concept and design
GLE 1.1.18 - Uses transitions to maintain fluency, logic, and coherence of information, opinions, or ideas (Grade 10
framework: Writing in the Content Areas).
Component 1.2 - use style appropriate to the audience and purpose
GLE 1.2.6 - Vary the complexity of sentence structure and cadence for effect
NETS for grades 9-12: Routinely and efficiently use online information resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publication, communication, and productivity. (4, 5, 6), and Select and apply technology tools for research, information analysis, problem solving, and decision making in content learning. (4, 5)


Activity Plan: This Smart Board activity walks students through how to use a Thesaurus, especially synonyms. Students will learn how to use the shade feature on the Board to hide later information, how to use their finger to drag and drop information and data that is formatted to do so on the program, as well as how to write with the pens and use the eraser. Students will participate based on a volunteer basis unless it becomes obvious that I as the teacher needs to call directly on students to keep classroom flow going. Learning will be assessed by adequate participation; as the material covered is mainly review, there is not a lot of new information that will need learned.


Smart Board technology could very well prove useful and beneficial in my classroom; it could especially help in drawing students in and getting them to interact with eachother and the material. A hands-on approach to learning could also help draw out students from diverse backgrounds through bringing the learning down to a manageable level that moves at their own pace. However, if the class was quite large, learning and participation would be minimal due to time constraints.