Video Case Analysis

The video that I watched was called From Hula to High Tech. This video clip talked about an elementary school integrating technology in at a very early age. It also talked about how all the students got a chance to use the technology. The teachers at the school wanted all the students to learn how to use the technology and everybody got involved in the process. At this elementary school the students used, computers, VCR's, video camera's, and also all the equipment necessary to make a TV news cast. Every single grade from Kindergarten till 5th grade got involved in the news cast. Everyone throughout the year had some part in the production. Even though there was a lot of technology being used the teachers however were not the center of the classroom. The teachers let the students figure out their complications on their own. The teacher in charge of the news production actually said that it teaches them responsibility and also it also shows them problems that they will face as they grow up. The news production wasn't going as smoothly as it should have been but the teacher let the students in the production room solve the problem on their own and continue on with production. Another example showing that it was student-centered was the fact that every student had access to a computer in the classroom. The teacher wasn't up in front of the class teaching them how to do something from her computer, the students were doing the task and the teacher was going around the room supervising and answering any questions that the students might have.

I believe that technology makes the classroom a lot more engaging. Technology provides the students with more hands on task and these types of task make a classroom more exciting. Also, the students aren't just sitting there listening to the teacher lecture, they are actually doing what they are taught; this way the teacher can answer any questions that a student might have right there in class. Integrating technology in the classroom provides the students with information that they might not get in a normal classroom. When preparing for a lesson that includes technology the teacher has to make sure that he/she knows how to use and teach the best way for going about using that type of technology. Also, the teacher has to make sure that technology will fit in with the lesson for that day. Another big task for the teacher is keeping the students engaged on the topic. Sometimes when a student gets access to a computer they play around on it instead of doing what the teacher wants them to do. To assess student performance I would have weekly meetings with the students and have them show me how to do certain things with the technologies. This way I can see what they have learned and what they still need to work on. This will also show me that they are learning things from the technologies and that they actually know how to do they things that I teach in class. Another way to assess is just to walk about the room and monitor the students on a daily basis.

There are several advantages to using technology in the classroom. Its more advanced and more exciting then just sitting behind a desk all day. It is also hands on, and many kids enjoy those kinds of task. Technology is changing everyday and teaching them at a young age will provide them with information that will help them when they get older. They will know how to use the basic programs before entering high school and will have an advantage over the students who didn't have access at an early age. There will be some challenges for the teacher and for the students. The teacher has to realize that everybody learns at a different pace so for some student he/she might have to spend more time making sure that they are grasping the topic. Also, some students don't feel comfortable working with technology and might not like that kind of teaching, so teachers might have to alternate their lessons going from more hands on to the more basic style of teaching. Another challenge for the teacher would be getting access to the technologies. I know that a lot of school don't have the money to buy the technologies that some teachers would like to have.

Here is the site that I used:
http://www.edutopia.org click on video library and for topic select integrating technology