Baby Braiden

Make a Smilebox postcard

ETEC Journaling Assignment #1

Who am I?

I am a native Texan, born in the greatest state in the union. I am a wife, new mother, and teacher who has the opportunity to show kids the relevance of education through what I teach.

I am taking ETEC 524, a computer class, at A&M-Commerce for my Master’s in Secondary Education. I am taking this class so that I can better reach the new technologically advanced generation. I expect to gain a passion for technology from this class and feel that it will only scratch the surface of the wealth of knowledge available for incorporation into the 21^st century classroom. As an educator, I feel I need to be modeling a lifelong passion for learning which is why I’m obtaining my master’s degree. My goal is to stay abreast of the new technology available to Family and Consumer Science educators so that I am continually and effectively reaching the students in my classroom.

Definition of Educational Technology and Barriers to Integration

Educational Technology is technology used in the classroom in order to reach an ever advancing generation. Technology can take the form of computers, software, teaching aids, and freeware. Educational Technology looks like e-classrooms, virtual tours, hands-on activities, and world travels without ever leaving the classroom.

Educational Technology does not come without a cost. Money, time, teacher ignorance, and availability are the biggest barriers to implementing technology in the classroom. As consumer demand becomes greater and technology costs decrease, technology in the classroom will become a must resulting in school districts being forced to meet this demand with more continuing education and more of its budget set aside for technological needs. Until those budget increases are available, teachers must be willing to take advantage of the education provided, as well as investigate and hunt for free versions of some of the latest technologies.

How will I be an informator?

I plan to take one technology class per year while also trying to incorporate one new piece of technology into my teaching. I plan to teach the students this technology at the beginning of the year and continually using it throughout the year so that students are fluent by the time they leave my room. I would also like them to create an eportfolio that can carry with them throughout their high school years.

Skills to Develop this Semester

Excel—for teaching budgeting

Powerpoint—for presentations

Publisher—for creating advertising posters

Blogs—for communication with parents and alternative to traditional assignments

Podcasts—alternative to traditional assignments

Wikis—don’t know what they are

Other unknown technology

Video Response

In the videos, I was surprised not by the amount of time students spend using technology but by the amount of technology they use. Students are creating and using software and freeware that I don’t even know exists. My question is how do we as educators stay abreast of all the new technology available without spending all of our free time searching for it?