Last Tech Class??

It's official -- I'm a junkie -- a techie junkie! I love technology. I have thoroughly enjoyed this technology class. It has stretched me beyond what I thought imaginable and pushed me to accomplish more than I imagined possible. How can it possibly be over? Well, it's just a 6 week college course, that's how!
In the past 6 weeks, I have:
***created a webquest (which I will be implementing this week with my students!),
***created a blog (who'd of thunk it?, me blogging!),
***designed a classroom newsletter (I have learned to respect it's value.),
***designed a teacher webpage (with wonderful links to my teacher blog :O))
***created a technology enhanced lesson plan,
and . . .
***started a Class BLOG on my teacher website!. Wow! Really?

I am amazed at the growth I have made with this class. I never would have thought that I could do so much in such a short period of time. I have also joined several 2.0 websites to keep me headed in the right direction and not get stagnant. I need the constant drive of being pushed -- it makes me better. It makes me want to succeed.

I love watching the kids' faces as they see me implement new technologies they have not yet had the opportunity to explore. I showed them the webquest today and now they are all excited about going to computer lab on Friday. I can't wait to get them started!

I hope that my teaching practice changes by always bringing in fresh, new ways of incorporating technology into what the kids are learning at the moment. The one KEY thing that I have learned is that using a technology lesson takes time. You have to prepare well and plan for the worst -- but the benefits and skills that the students glean from the lessons are so much deeper as a result. The payoff is huge!

(This week, I found a Smartboard activity for taking attendance -- it took some time, but I was able to attach an image (group) to a student name and then be able to slide the image & name together as one across the board to either the hot or cold lunch sides. The kids LOVED it! They totally love to see new technology and get to play with it!)

I have enjoyed this blog -- I hope that my next teacher requires us to keep it up -- otherwise I may have to come up with my own writing prompts! I enjoy the journaling of my thoughts. I can get them out so much faster on a keyboard than I can with a pencil/ paper.