Chapter 2 web enrichment activity

Student Name: Sam Barnhart
Student Email: sbarnhar@lhup.edu

Location on Site: Chapter 2 > Making the Case for Technology Integration




This activity contains only essay questions, which are not scored by the system.
You answered 2 questions, and left 0 questions blank.

Submitted on September 7, 2008 at 7:06 PM (EDT)

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Question 1



Sheingold (1991) said that teachers will have to confront squarely the difficult problem of creating a school environment that is fundamentally different from the one they themselves experienced (p. 23). In what ways is the current K-12 environment different from the one you experienced? Do you feel this presents an obstacle to effective use of technology in your teaching? What are some strategies you feel might help teachers overcome this obstacle?

Not Scored: When I was in school there was only one to two computers in the classroom, technology was very limited and non-helpful. There were no powerpoint presentations, rather information was written on a chalk board. Sometimes, an overhead projector was used to display notes on the board. Now, there is enough computers in each classroom for at least half of the class. Powerpoints are used in displaying notes on the board, and the internet is used all day. This could present obstacles to effective technology use in my teaching due to the frequently increasing rise in technological advancement. However, it is up to me to stay up to date on technology use and ways to implement it in my classroom. Then there will be no obstacles.



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Question 2



NCATE's document Technology and the New Professional Teacher (1997) said that, in addition to technology skills, teachers need an attitude that is fearless in the use of technology, encourages them to take risks, and inspires them to be lifelong learners. What current factors and activities can help teachers develop such an attitude? What factors make it difficult for them to acquire it?

Not Scored: The internet is widely and commonly available to all teachers in the school system. Using the new "smartboards" and other technology makes it easier and quicker for teachers to prepare new lessons. With the new technology becoming easier and more popular teachers don't have to feel that they are taking a risk when really they are. However, there are many factors that make it difficult. Teachers, who began teaching twenty years ago, might not be up to date on new technology devices and hence don't use them in their classroom because the teacher themselves don't know how to use it.