Technology Interview with Ami and Emma By Shadra

Technology Interview with Ami and Emma By: Shadra (Tomei) Sparling MEDT 8461

About Ami and Emma �I taught Emma in the fourth grade a few years ago, she is now in middle school. I also kept her when she was very young in daycare. � Her mother, Ami is very involved in her education and active in technology use.

How does technology affect the learning process? � The visual aspects of that technology produces helps some students learn. � Technology also allows repetition.

What does “technology integration” mean to you? � Combing the use of technological devices into the classroom/school. Example - power points during lectures. � Technology devices available at our school include: laptops, LCD projectors, t. v. /dvd, audio systems, and a variety of computer programs.

Technology and education…. How should technology be used in education? As a teacher's aide to help explain material or to supplement the lessons. It should not be used for showing students shortcuts. My education… What would the modern classroom look like? Laptops on desks for each child. Fun computer programs to help students learn concepts. My Future….

Are you happy with the technology use at your school? Why or why not? � Overall, yes. More laptops could be utilized for independent studies. � It is obvious teachers use technology frequently which is great.

Are you happy with the technological funding at your school? Why or why not? � Not really - we could always use more to keep up-to-date with technological advances and the latest model computers.

Has technology changed the way you work in your classrooms and has it changed your assignments? � Yes, there seems to be less paper used. � Some classes require power points for presentations. � There is not as much handwritten work required in upper grades.

How would you assess your teachers' integration of technology into the classroom? � Overall good. Emma would like to see projectors used more in the classroom, more educational computer games and on-line research assignments for fun.

Technology integration… Do you feel that integration of technology into your classrooms had a positive impact on your achievement? If not, why? If so, how? Not really. Some computer work just gives the student more practice opportunities. Students need more ways to use technology! Can you provide any recommendations to improve access to and use of technology in your local classroom? Maybe computer labs allow random students access during recess to learn different ways the computer is helpful (programs, how to save to a disk, etc). Students need practice using technology!

Can you describe a good example of a lesson that uses technology? � 1) Lessons using the projector to show students how to use certain computer programs, or how to research appropriately. 2) Power point presentations to show visual graphics and images of the material being presented.

If you were the teacher, how would you use technology in the classroom? � I would use it to supplement my teaching and lectures. I would let the children use computers for independent study assignments.

BIG THANK YOU TO AMI AND EMMA for your honest evaluation of technology integration at CHES!