My Introduction to Technology Based Learning

My Personal Learning Goals for Current and Emerging Technologies

        I've read that people who set goals achieve more than people who don't so I'm happy to create a list of goals for this course. 

• I hope to determine how to bring technology into the classroom without losing the personal touch. 
• I want to be able to use technology to expand on a students' knowledge and ability to learn. 
• I want to engage the students more in their own learning with the use of technology.
• In order to expand my ability as an educator I would like to develop proficiency with educational technology.        

        Most importantly, I hope to learn how to create an optimal learning experience by combining traditional methods with newer technological devices.

Previous Educational Technology Experience

        I do not have a great deal of experience with technology in the classroom. However, I know some of the basics. Because I live in a society where technology is so heavily used, I was introduced to technology at a young age and, it has given me the opportunity to develop my skills. Some of my experiences include the following:

• In junior high school my class had just introduced the interactive whiteboard and, alongside our teacher, our class worked together to learn how to use the device. 
• In my field experience last semester, my classroom had an interactive whiteboard and I had an excellent mentor who taught me how to optimize its use.
• In school through the years I have used programs such as Powerpoint, Word, and Excel.
• I work part time as a bank teller and this requires me to maintain my technical abilities through constant learning of new programs. 

My Burning Question

Does technology help or hinder the development of literacy?           

        Children are at a disadvantage and may not reach their highest potential without proper literacy skills. I am interested to determine if technology can help educators in the fight against illiteracy. For example, I wonder if tools like spell check and autofill will turn out children with less developed spelling skills. I am also curious to see if social skills are adversely affected by increased interaction with technology. On the other hand, because technology makes information more accessible does it help children to answer questions.