At the beginning of this course, I thought I had a fairly good understanding of most technology that I needed to implement in my personal and professional life. I was greatly mistaken. After being exposed to all the new and emerging technologies in this course, rather in theory or in practice, I realized I have lots to learn and lots to implement in all areas of my life. I can see so many practical and useful applications of many of these technologies. In an educational setting, I plan to implement some of these technologies now in the classroom, and some later, when I become a librarian.
The current technologies I can use in the classroom, are wikis, gloster’s interactive posters, animotos’ interactive powerpoints, prezi’s interactive powerpoints, and internet games. I will be checking with my school district to get permission to create a wiki for my class. We currently do have a program for the students to have access to class content, but it is limited. A wiki would provide me much more creative liberties which would benefit the students. It is much more flexible allowing a more interactive technological experience for both student and teacher.
I will also be using interactive posters to display different course content to the students. They will surely enjoy this new way of learning about World Geography. I will also be teaching them how they can use gloster’s site for their own projects. In addition to these interactive posters, I will be delivering course content by using interactive powerpoint style programs. I will be working starting next semester to convert my current powerpoints into these interactive documents to present to my World Geography students.
Last but not least, I will be researching different game sites that teach and quiz students over different types of Geography content. I already currently use some game sites to drill the students on specific information from the class, but I know there are many more interactive and innovative sites out there that will really be useful in the classroom setting or when they study outside the classroom. It is always important to try and connect with the students on their level and in a way (technologically) that interests them. Learning will be a much more enjoyable experience if we do and it will stay with them longer as well.
As a new librarian, I will be looking for ways to update and connect with the students and staff in my school. One of the first things I will do is create or update the library wiki. I believe it will be more useful to use a wiki than a website for the libraries’ business. If I have to create one, I will use all of the reference sites I can to pull creative and useful ideas together that will benefit all those using it. If I am updating one, I will do the same. I will not be afraid to make it my own and revise where necessary. I will make sure I am constantly updating information and adding new, helpful components. I will make sure the students and staff know how to use RSS, audiobook downloading software, Google Earth and many other technologies and programs that will enhance their educational experience. With my Special Education background, I will keep in mind students who might need alternative methods to access the full educational resources available. For example, some students may have difficulties reading the English books they are required to read. I can help them download an audiobook on their mp3 player so they can listen to it instead of struggling to read it.
There are many new and emerging technologies that I am ready to use and many that I will be learning to use in the future. Either way, this class has definitely opened a whole new technological world to me, which in the short term and long term, will surely benefit all those who access it now and in the future.
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