The Technology Battle Continues

So in 2 of my 3 classrooms projectors have been installed. It's really exciting, we've been using them a lot, but I'm realizing how much more time and effort it takes to bring technology into the classroom. I've spent hours looking at videos, commercials, and film clips online and then to struggle with what aspects of the curriclum I can bring them in for, how we're going to use it, and what angle we're going to talk about it from. Like we've talked about in class, I want to use technology to enhance students' learning, not just to use it. And enhancement of learning through technology takes time. I'm starting small, but I also want to utilitize this awesome tool I've been given to it's utmost capacity.

The Projector is In

It happened on Thursday- I walked in and the tech guy was installing it. I was so excited, but at the same time almost kind of dreading it. Today the teacher I team-teach with just stood there kind of looking at it like, what are we supposed to do with this thing now? We have years and reems of paper to use for overheads, and in an ideal world they would all be transferred to electronic for use on the projector- not gonna happen. It's almost overwhelming or daunting to think about it. Makes me think of an exerpt we read in Tomlinson for Pullis' class- start small. Don't try to take it all on or you will be so overwhelmed. You have to make it manageable. We decided that we're going to make sure warm-ups are always on the projector and we already have some videos we want to create. After that, we're going to try to do one major component of each unit on the projector, and after that what we can get done. Seems easy enough. I just want to utilize this thing as best we can. We'll see how that goes.

Revelation

So I've finally found my technology necessity breakthrough. In my reading class we started talking about a book we're reading a true story about 3 boys that raise out of the ghetto they live in where everyone is addicted to crack and become doctors. Really inspiring, right? So I bring in some non-fiction texts about the truth about cocaine and how awful it is for us to read. We talk about what we already know and heard about cocaine. I had no idea what was going to happen. They have parents on it, cousins who use it, they know how to get it, what to do with it... awful stuff. They have all the wrong information and have no idea how harmful it really is.
I am empowered to empower them. It's time to bring in websites, videos, music, interviews, anything I can do to get my hands on the truth to give to them so they can correct the misconceptions they've been dished. It will be tricky with one computer in the room and no TV, but I will make it work, even if I have to bring in my laptop from home. If they aren't educated about this stuff at school, then they're going to hear all the wrong information.
I'm finally realizing that I cannot convince them by myself. I can use technology, something they're interested in, as a vehicle to help me give them the truth- that could ultimately change their life.

Time to Integrate Technology?

The projectors have arrived... but have yet to be installed. We are hoping for around Thanksgiving time. I wonder, with all the things I'm supposed to be integrating into my classroom(s), such as effective assessment, cooperative learning, metacognitive and study strategies, goal setting, anecdotals, differentiating instruction... where does technology fit in? I know we are supposed to be revolutionizing our teaching using technology, not just adding it on our to-do lists, but regardless, all of these thing require time. Where do I find that kind of time, energy, man-power? Is this something that can wait till next year, and be integrated slowly? Or is it now or never, right here, right now... or its lost forever? Right now I tell myself that these projectors being installed is the beginning of my revolutionization. And maybe I'm partially thankful for that day to be in the future, down the road... I have a lot more things in my vision right now. That chart Prof. Holland presented is true. It's October, I'm in survival mode... anyone with me?

In Survival Mode

Over a month into school, and technology continues to be a challenge. We are promised projectors by November, but I am leary as to whether that is truly going to happen. Again and again in my instruction, I find myself thinking that activities would be so easier without the overhead projector and being able to use a digital projector.
However, it is easy for us to get stuck in our ways, so I need to be ready and prepared for the change when it comes. I need to become more familiar with the programs of Smart Notebook and Inspiration. Both of those things I could be using now if I was familiar and fluent with them but that hasn't happened yet. When is there time to sit and play around with computer software? It seems that sleep and lesson planning takes precedence. I am hoping that others feel the same.

Technology a Little Lacking

I just completed my Technology Inventory, and not only did I feel that Oakland really doesn't have much to offer me, but what they do have I am not familiar with. And even worse than that, what they do offer to me I am not familiar with. I wrote in my inventory that I have Smart Notebook and Inspiration, both great software programs, but neither do I know much about. I need to find some time and sit down and tinker with them, figure out their ins and outs, and how it runs, but I just don't know when that time is going to come. The fact is that I have to make it if I want it to happen. And with that amongst everything else, I don't know where it will fit. Too many things to think about all on top of one another. Until then, I will be thankful that I have email and try to start letting kids graph their own comprehension progress online with the website edcheckup.com that I was granted access to. This technology journey is definitely going to be interesting!

So Busy...

And I'm supposed to be thinking about incorporating even more? Right now I am thinking throughout class how we could do things through Inspiration and our data projector... when we have it. Because we have such limited access (right now my kids don't even have their passwords or computer access) I'm struggling with not just how to add technology just to add it, but how to revolutionize my teaching by it. There is just so much content to learn... and if Power Point doesn't count for my guided notes, then I don't know what I'm supposed to do. It's in the back of my mind, but definitely not a priority at this point. Is that bad?....

I did it

My first first day of school. It's over, and.... I'm completely exhausted. But I am so glad it's over. I will never have to have a first first day ever again. And thats a good thing. Things went well- there were no fights, no screaming, and no one went to the safe seat (although they probably should have- I'll get them tomorrow).
It was a lot of logistics, and my first couple of classes didn't seem to into things, but it made me realize some things on my own.
Firstly, I could not get over the outpouring of support. My mentor who made me breakfast and wrote me a note, to my boyfriend who sent me a text message at 6am, to my roommate who had cookies waiting when I got home, to my fellow Fellows (thanks Mr. Hysong) who called to see how the first day went, to all the teachers who checked in on me frequently throughout the day to make sure I was surviving. I appreciated it all so much, and want to do something to help let them know that, but what? Any suggestions?
But I am exhausted. Trying to be excited about procedures and info sheets for 7 hours will wear you out, lol. And there is just so much to do, and so much to keep track of. It's daunting if you let it get to you... And we have to do it all over again tomorrow! Well, then I better be getting to bed soon.

Overheads and Email

... are about the extent that technology is used in my school building. Being low on funding, often forgotten in the mix of things, and serving a fairly low SES population makes technology a definite challenge. However, there are a limited number of computers, projectors, and Smart Boards that are being increasingly utilized at my school, so we'll have to see what happens.

Being a first year teacher, and just having graduated, I am apprehensive and anxious about many things, not just technology. I have vowed to take all that I have learned that I know is beneficial for students, along with my values, my family, and the influences in my life to make this year a good one for me, for my students, and for my colleagues. Wish me luck!