Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weaknesses

One of my biggest technology strengths is trying new things.  I am willing to try anything and once I go through the motions, not watching, actually being behind the driver’s seat, I can pick up quite a bit of confidence with new technology and then play with it enough to fully master or understand the program. 

My biggest weakness in technology is that I simply don’t have the time I wish I had to go out on my own, research new technology available and then invest some time in it to play with it and get to understand it.  Between teaching and going back to school it seems like my time is pretty well planned out for me.  I need to make a priority to keep current with new and exciting technologies.  Another weakness for me is truly understanding how technology can beef up my lessons.  I teach reading to a class with over 23 different languages taught and typically spend my time conferencing with students over independent reading or by modeling thinking to them in a read aloud text.  Since I haven’t invested time into finding technology that works for me I haven’t been using it.

As an educator, I always plan on using new and innovative ways to incorporate more technology into my classroom.  Due to my time weaknesses I typically just fall on my old standbys like power points and my document camera.  I plan on making myself more acquainted with newer and more exciting technologies so that I can start bringing them into the classroom. 

Another plan I have for technology is to not only teach my students through more innovative ways but to also have the students do more hands on activities with the various technological programs.  It is hard to find time within the school day to allow for this- especially when most of my students are about 3 years behind in their language skills and I have a STAAR test breathing down my throat.  That being said, if I don’t start showing my students how to be innovative with technology through an academic setting, then who will?

What I need to learn about technology is how to easily incorporate it into my lessons without spending a lot of time outside of the classroom planning and putting things together.  I also need to learn how to allow or create time to start having my students do more hands on making and presenting.  There are so many possibilities- I just need to invest time in finding these new resources and using them.