Second Blog Post!

So I substitute taught at one of the local middle schools today and I got a glimpse at what technology a middle to lower class school gets to use on a regular basis. Most of the classrooms I assisted in used markers and whiteboards, so I guess the technology was more recent than classrooms filled with chalkboards but not by much. On top of that I saw about 4 computers that students with writing disabilities could use to type up homework.

Later in the day I saw two rooms that had a cool program installed. It had projection screens that the the teacher could write (digitally) onto the screen by just making the motion with her special pen. That was pretty cool but at the same time it was a wake up call about how much modernization could be and needs to be done in today's classrooms.

This brings up the topic of how you could possibly afford and integrate such technology but I will save that for later in the class when I know more about the subject.

My First Post!

This is my first blog post ever, so naturally I am a little unsure about what I should write about. I think I will start by writing about the different teaching tools and techniques that I have been exposed to in the short time I have been in this class.

So far I have started to use Blackboard and learn about different uses for blogs.

In the textbook, the potential uses for blogs in the teaching field are numerous. Using them as a an Online Filing Cabinet, an E-Portfolio and a Class Portal are all idea's that immediately peaked my interest. I really like the idea that the students can get there assignments done via a blog and grading can be done with the response posts from teachers and peers. This technology is very new to me, but I am already enjoying the teaching philosophies and ideas that I have been exposed too. I look forward to writing about my experiences and reflections about them on this blog.