Assignment 1

I don’t personally have much experience with teaching or helping in schools. My work experience has been in the hospitality industry (restaurants and most recently spas). I do, however, have experience with training and teaching various computer programs to employees.

As a student, while in elementary school through high school, I saw technology used to enhance teaching and learning in many ways. It was used in libraries, learning games (Oregon Trail) and during classes as a teaching tool to make subject matter come to life for students. Since I have been out of school, educational technology has definitely grown.

Educational technology, to me, is the utilization of computers and other mechanisms to assist with the teaching of students. This is such an important field as the world is becoming more and more technology driven, and only makes sense that it should be used in educational arenas. When students leave school they will continue to use technology in their day to day lives, making it important that they are given a solid technological base in school. Teachers are competing daily with many forms of technology while trying to get through to students with short attention spans. The role of technology in education is as a tool for both teachers, who are transmitting information and students who are receiving information at a rapid rate. Technology in education gives teachers and students a boost by making teaching and learning more efficient and productive.

Some older teachers may be less comfortable or familiar with the use of computers and technology in the classroom which might discourage their use of classroom computers, etc. To be most effective several different methods should be used in teaching. Students should not be limited to using computers for learning. It is important for information retention to encourage students to engage with their class as physically write information down. The use of technology in society has definitely grown over the years. Many children have cell phones and most have been using computers since they were babies, which makes it more necessary to offer technology in the classroom.