Week 3 Reflection

1.        Admittedly, when I began this technology journey I was thinking, “I need to learn how to use this stuff so that I can teach my students how to use it too.”  I think that fits right in with the early definitions described in this chapter.  More focus was placed on the use of technology to support instruction.  I was so focused on what I didn’t know “how” to do, I didn’t think beyond to the greater benefits.  I didn’t think about technology in terms of student learning and performance, just instruction.  I think the definition of IDT has evolved naturally as the field has grown. My thoughts have certainly started changing. When I get back in the classroom, I hope to work towards putting “the use of media for instructional purposes” together with “the use of systematic instructional design procedures.”  These two practices make sense together.   

2.       a. I think that the project discussed in the book had little effect because the technology was just used as a tool.  It seemed that the school passed out the laptops and hooked up the internet with little to no deeper thought.  Are there any plans involved, or were the computers just handed out?  Also, the teachers weren’t given any instruction as to how to use the laptops in their classroom and maximize the software they were loaded with.  What were they supposed to do with them?  And, what are the standards the teachers are supposed to work towards?  Are these students just meeting a goal of using technology?  It almost seems as if the district feels good about getting big, bulky textbooks out of the way and using the laptop almost like an e-reader.  It is as if they want the laptops to do some sort of magic on their own.

3.       b. I think the school could have employed some sort of technology introduction to get teachers, students, and parents excited and involved.  Maybe in-class instruction could have been given to the students who then had to go home and share with their parents.  Teachers could have been given more training to begin with and could have set some things in place to foster a student/parent lesson like that.   Teachers should have been given more information about the standards the district hoped the laptops would address and ways in which they could meet them.  I think it is beneficial for teachers to receive training.  In the case of technology, there could be trainings for the teachers so that they could see the benefits of technology in their own life and teaching practices.  If they had a greater understanding and a better appreciation, they may see how to really use it for student learning.