Technology In The Classroom Ch. 7

Technology In The Classroom

Technology being used in the classroom is not something new. Technology has been used since the 1800s according to Ryan Cooper in his book Those Who Can, Teach. In the 1800s when one of the first technology tools was introduced there had to be a step-by-step manual that gave instructions on how to use this new technology tool. This new technology may not be considered high tech to people of today’s world, but it was in the 1800s, and this new technology tool was the chalkboard. Then by the twentieth century there were many other technology tools such as the filmstrip projector, overhead projector, the motion picture and then educational television. Technology has been an important part of education, and still is to this day. With technology improving so fast each and everyday it might be hard for teachers to keep up with the technology, and figure out how to apply the technology in the classroom and wonder why they should apply technology in the classroom at all. In the article, Integrating Technology Into the Classroom by Melissa Kelly found at the web address http://712educators.about.com/cs/technology/a/integratetech.htm she explains how to integrate technology in the classroom. Internet is a big part of education today, and one way to apply the Internet in the classroom is “research, because students have an unlimited access to information, and some topics school libraries might not cover in the books and magazines that they have.” (Kelly) Other class activities that the internet can help with are “ panel discussions, video presentations and web page creation.” (Kelly) Lastly using the Internet can be a great source for the teacher to teach their students outside of the classroom by “having online assessments, such as test the students can take at home for practice for a real test, or even have a power point that the students can view at home to revisit what lecture or what was taught in class that day.” (Kelly) Technology is a great thing for education to day and it is possible to apply it in the classroom and have fun with it and make it interesting.

Classroom Management

Classroom Management

In the book Those Who Can, Teach by Ryan Cooper the definition for classroom management is “actions taken to create and maintain a learning environment conductive to successful instruction” (Cooper pg 186) Some teachers are successful at maintaining a classroom while other struggle with it. Some teachers might give to many rules for their students to follow, or not come off as being serious with the rules of the classroom and even fail to follow through with the rules that they have given so the students don’t take the rules or the teacher seriously. Without a successful classroom management this can cause damage to the students learning environment, and be very stressful for the teacher. The book suggests that experience, and research will better help the teacher of the understanding of classroom management.

In the article Classroom Management by Lisa Rodriquez, Ph.D. found at the web address http://www.4faculty.org/includes/108r2.jsp there is more detail about classroom management. Lisa Rodriquez has a list of possible or common behavioral issues that happen within the classroom and suggestions on how to better handle each situation. Some of the common behavior issues are “Undermining the teachers authority”, “Leaving class to frequently” and “Sleeping in class.” The advice given for each one of those common behavior issues are first the “Undermining the teachers authority” Rodriquez suggest that “ assure the student while smiling that you have reflected on the issue and that they soon will understand why the information or assignment is valuable will diffuse the situation, and asking the student to ask the question of why is this important to learn after the material has been taught.” (Rodriquez) Second common behavior issue is “Leaving the class Frequently” Rodriquez explains “ how she does not require the student to ask for permission to use the restroom, but if they go frequently that you take them a side and ask if everything is ok, and not to assume right away that the student is being disrespectful, they might have a bladder problem or even a bladder infection.” (Rodriquez) Lastly is the “Sleeping in class” she explains certain solutions you can do to make this situation from happening, such as “if it’s a student who is usually awake and participates in class, give them an extra credit assignment that covers the material that was covered in class while he or she was sleeping, another is wake the student and ask if they are feeling ok and be genuine about it, this reassures the student that you care and they probably wont fall asleep in class again, lastly keep the class interesting suggest the students take notes, or do activities through out the class.” (Rodriquez) By better understanding on how to manage a classroom and what to do in all situations this can help for a stressful free environment for the teacher and a better learning environment for the students.