Technology Used in the Classroom

 As our society becomes more technology oriented, the face of the American classroom adapts to these changes. When walking into a classroom, we notice the teachers writing on Smartboards, tests being taken on clickers, and teachers taking role on their computers. While some teachers are excited about the technology that is appearing in their rooms, others are more traditional and prefer to teach the old-fashioned way. However, while most of the technology that is used in the classroom are used for tools, some technology is acting as a hindrance to the student's education. Student's are using their own technology as distractions. They use their cell phones to text, go on facebook or twitter, and utilize it in other ways to entertain themselves rather than learning. Therefore, I can understand while some teachers prefer to limit the technology use in the classroom.

Technology is used in almost every aspect of the 21^st century classroom. Teachers use projectors while they teach to amplify the words on the board and use slides to write on so that the students can understand more step-by-step concepts. Smartboards are used extensively in teaching. Teachers can write, show powerpoints, and explain graphs or concepts that may be harder to perceive simply by explaining it. Mimio boards, like Smartboards are also interactive white boards that allows teachers to show websites and teach a lesson. Both SMART boards and mimio boards are great tools for lectures and interactive student participation during the lesson in a classroom. Regular desktop computers or laptops are also seen in every classroom. In fact, some schools are issuing each students their own laptops to take to and from school to save money on textbooks. Some schools are even buying Ipads for their students, especially for those with special needs.

Personally, when I become a teacher, I will use technology that is restricted for educational purposes only. My purpose for using technology is to make learning occur quicker, more efficiently, and more effectively. If the technology I use causes any sort of distraction or hinders learning in any way, I will ban the device from my classroom. If technology ever becomes so advance to where the students no longer think for themselves, I will not use it. I will teach the material without the device and when the children have mastered the various skills, I will allow them to use technology to shortcut the steps they can do in their sleep.