Reflections on Shifts in Teaching

I have always been one to look for new ways to get my students to acquire information. It seems that today, however, I need to look for ways to allow them to be a part of the creative process, so that they actually get to DO something, rather than just passively take in what I am dishing out.

Using technology to facilitate that has long been a goal. In my rural setting, the availability of technology has long been a drawback. Up until March of this year, our technology in my elementary building was the one computer in each classroom networked for grades and attendance. With the addition of a mobile technology lab, I hope to be able to allow my students to do more.

The ability to share networked applications and ideas will expand my capacity to show students the vast storehouse of knowledge available to them. Just the ability to use PowerPoint demonstrations has proved a huge help. Now the entire class can review and research together. I no longer have to try maintain a personal library of information; with network web access, an even wider variety of literature is available than anything I could possibly compile on my own.

It is a bright new future. I just hope to keep up to speed on this information highway!

Image: http://flickr.com/photos/daita/2211003137/

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en