Laura+Hopper-+Technology

I grew up with a computer in my house, enjoyed the dial tone, static, and the satisfying sound of, “You’ve got mail!” chiming from my computer as I logged into AOL. I also had a cell phone when I was 18; the original Nextel brick model! I thought I was immersed in technology throughout my life. That is, until I walked into my first year of teaching and noticed a 10 year old with a better cell phone than I had! I realized then, that to challenge and hold the interest of these nearly adolescent students, I needed to be up to date with my technology use. I began searching for ways to incorporate it into my room consistently.

There are many exciting possibilities for enriched learning through the use of various technologies. Interaction with students from other countries, research opportunities, special needs accommodations, and interactive/engaging lessons are all made possible through the use of the tech devices.

One worry I have about using technology in my classroom is the safety of students. I work with 5th graders, and some forms of technology pose areas of concern for me. With the use of computers and the internet for research, for example, there are some sites that are not appropriate for students to be on. It can be especially challenging to block all sites with inappropriate content. Another concern I have came after reading the Crowley article. Will the technology be beneficial to my lesson, and will it save us time?