Video

I thought this video was interesting because it shows the classroom in the past and the classroom now. It also shows the technology differences! Enjoy!

Half-Way Reflection

Things are going well. I never realized how much technology you could implement into the elementary classroom until now. There are a lot of fun sites and programs students can use. I think it is good to use some technology in the elementary classroom, but I do not think I would use it everyday. The most important lesson or concept I have learned so far is how to implement technology into the classroom using the basic programs like word and excel. I never thought of using excel the way we have in class.

Internet Use in Elementary Classroom

There are many pros to using the internet in an elementary classroom. Using the internet in an elementary classroom allows the students to access a great deal of sources. They can use electronic encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, and mapping sites. Those types of websites are great for research projects and just finding out more information about a subject. There are a lot of great educational websites that allow students to be interactive and learn a lot of information about certain subjects. Students also like going to the educational websites or using the internet because it is fun and you can keep them motivated in during their work! Unfortunately there are cons to using the internet in the classroom. Internet sites that students are able to use are not always going to be working all the time. The internet can be down or the site could be having server problems. The site also could go under construction for a period of time. A lot of the time you never know what could happen to a site you want to access with your students. I also think the biggest concern when it comes to using Internet in the elementary classroom is safety. Teachers have to make sure every website is safe and that students are only accessing the sites you asked them too. Teachers do not want any personal information to be shared with the world about their students.

I believe it is important in our society today to implement technology into my classroom. I think students should be able to experience the internet while in an elementary classroom. Students should gain some experience in researching topics or learning about a certain subject because they will need to know how to do it eventually. I would want to greatly secure the things they are researching and looking at on the Internet. I would put the safety of my students first when it comes to using the Internet. I would check out every site before any one of my students would access it. I do think it is important to incorporate but I do not think it is necessary to use it all the time. I think if they used it at least one time in my classroom I have helped in some way with their technology development.

One of my favorite educational websites is Funbrain.com. It is a great website because it has math, reading, arcade, and playground games that are all educational! The website also allows you to pick a grade level and gives you a bunch of fun games that work on subject areas that pertain to that specific grade level! They even have a specific section for teachers and blogs! It is a great and fun interactive website that both students and teachers can enjoy!