Reflection #6

Technology in the classroom is consistently evolving, even from the time I was in high school (3 years ago) to today it seems that this generation continues to exponentially learn more about the world around them through technology. When I was visiting Bothell High School, my alma mater, I was amazed at the additions of Smart Boards in every classroom, the 5 rolling carts of MacBook laptops that were available to check out and the video production announcements that were shown three times a week. I know that I was able to attend school in a middle-class suburban area that has large funding in the area of technology, therefore I know I easily took its accessibility for granted. I remember having a MacBook for a week of "researching" in class and I would get nothing done because I would be looking up the Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale. Of course I take the fall for being completely off task during these times I find that as technology increases in the school, the more the students are taking it for granted and not utilizing the potential it has to help learning.

This personal observation serves as a reminder to me to be thankful for the education I have an am receiving. I remember the teachers that used technology as a substitute for teaching and those that saw it as a privilege and an additional tool to help the educational process. It also encourages me to use the technology available by my district (as a teacher) to help keep the students focused and familiar with this new way of learning. As our world continues to introduce new tools for the advancement of education in relation to technology, again I am reminded that the attitude of the teacher that greatly affects the students attitude toward learning no matter if they are using a pen and paper or a personal laptop.