Technology Experiences

I have recently completed Block 3 of the Elementary/Special Education Program and I have yet to see a lesson with technology in it and presented well. In my field school I was in a Life Skills classroom and I loved it ( I can't wait to go back and visit). They are lucky enough to have a Smart Board in their classroom but the board does not work all time. Often it was off center so when the students touch the screen they hit the right answer but it clicks the wrong one. And the school can not really afford another Smart Board. At SRU they stress a lot about getting the students up, moving and involved. There is so much that could be done with that and technology such as having a video that the students move along with too. It could be geared towards life skills students even with teaching them how to cross the street, look for danger and how to stop, drop and roll. I am lucky enough to have another classroom available to observe or teach in that has an Active Board. That is very similar to Smart Board so it was easy for me to catch on to how to use it. The students have remotes with this board that they can buzz in answers for during a game or review. It is more interactive than a Smart Board. This teacher uses the board for anything from math problems to reading concepts. This is not the only use of technology used in the classroom but it is the most interactive. The teacher is also very active and hands-on in the classroom. I feel that is a big part of teaching as well. The students can not sit all day. That is too hard and boring for them. These boards gets them involved with learning and with the lesson. I suggest to anyone that can to play around with the Smart Boards or Active Boards. They are a lot of fun and easy to work with.