Week 8 Reflection

This week, I am teaching 75% of the day. In the past, I have taught techonological lessons a majority of the time and found that using computers, mimeo boards, videos, and computer game format activities involved my students most. This year, however, I have noticed that my students fall asleep during videos and do not pay attention when I am showing a powerpoint presentation. They are less likely to pay attention when techonology is involved unless it is hands on or inclusive technology use, like having students use the mimeo board. I assumed that with this generation, a majority of students would learn best through technology use and presentation. Now, I feel that so many teachers are using technology regularly to instruct students, it is becoming boring or repeatative to students. When I am teaching without any technology, students are more attentative. Also, I often have little problems or glitches with technology. For example, I often have to sync the mimeo board multiple times before the pen will click the correct area. Also, videos have so many codes and adds, we have to wait a few minutes before we can even start the instructional video. Students are losing attention and getting off subject when problems like this arise. There is less room for unplanned time when I am the instructional video or the white board and pen is being used in place of the mimeo board.
     Technology is great and I know numerous ways to use in the classroom, especially because my generation has always been familiar with the constantly changing technological tools. I feel that it may be overused in some circumstances and it's important for teachers to recognize when students are not responding well to these great new methods of instruction. Most of the students typically go home to tv, videos, computer games, etc. We need to change what students are exposed to throughout the day to get them interested in the information. Also, for the few lessons that I did plan using technology resources, the power was low, the internet went down, or the mimeo was uncooperative. As a teacher, it is more important for my generation to learn to teach with tools that are not technology related as we are already fairly familiar with technology and it's uses in the classroom. Although, teachers are often not allowing students to use technology in ways to show comprehension, gain technology skills, and assess in various formats. I would liketo implement teacher directed technology use for students to improve their abilities to use technology in ways besides games and videos. Teachers may find this difficult, because they themselves are still learning how to use technology in ways other than for instructional videos, games, and presentations. I would like to implement this type of instruction more throughout the remainder of my placement.