Integration of Technology in the Classroom
With the push for the use of tech in the classrooms, schools must realize that tech is a tool and will not make a student learn more or better if it is not properly used. Tech will not make an average teacher excellent. I do believe, however, excellent use of tech will make a difference. Teachers must be trained and given tech they will actually use. Teachers must be given the opportunity to experiment with tech and applications. As with many initial tries, there will be room for improvement and teachers must be made to feel that it is okay if these lessons may be less than successful upon occasion. The classroom is a laboratory of learning. Students and teachers will not always be successful. Education using tech happens when we learn from our mistakes.
Discipline
· Students must understand that there are consequences to their actions.
· Teachers and administrators must not only be consistent, but must be viewed as fair by students and parents.
· Teachers must believe that they are partners with administration when it comes to discipline in the schools.
· Administrators must support teachers in disciplinary matters or teachers will stop enforcing the rules.
· Rules and consequences must be reasonable and enforceable. If a rule is not enforced, it becomes worthless and devalues all other rules.
My Classroom
In my classroom, students and visitors can expect:
· Respectful treatment;
· High expectations;
· A certain level of autonomy;
· An expectation that failure is an opportunity to learn;
· Students working on different projects at different times;
· Various types of instruction ranging from traditional direct instruction to student discovery; and
· Participation at all levels in the classroom.
With the push for the use of tech in the classrooms, schools must realize that tech is a tool and will not make a student learn more or better if it is not properly used. Tech will not make an average teacher excellent. I do believe, however, excellent use of tech will make a difference. Teachers must be trained and given tech they will actually use. Teachers must be given the opportunity to experiment with tech and applications. As with many initial tries, there will be room for improvement and teachers must be made to feel that it is okay if these lessons may be less than successful upon occasion. The classroom is a laboratory of learning. Students and teachers will not always be successful. Education using tech happens when we learn from our mistakes.
Discipline
· Students must understand that there are consequences to their actions.
· Teachers and administrators must not only be consistent, but must be viewed as fair by students and parents.
· Teachers must believe that they are partners with administration when it comes to discipline in the schools.
· Administrators must support teachers in disciplinary matters or teachers will stop enforcing the rules.
· Rules and consequences must be reasonable and enforceable. If a rule is not enforced, it becomes worthless and devalues all other rules.
My Classroom
In my classroom, students and visitors can expect:
· Respectful treatment;
· High expectations;
· A certain level of autonomy;
· An expectation that failure is an opportunity to learn;
· Students working on different projects at different times;
· Various types of instruction ranging from traditional direct instruction to student discovery; and
· Participation at all levels in the classroom.