Chapter 9: Technology to Support Learning (b)

Teacher Learning (226)

Introducing new technologies into the classroom has been a challenging experience for me. Last semester when I created my first website, the task became extremely time-consuming. Throughout the process of putting it together, I always asked myself if my students would really visit my site or wondered if they would find it interesting or challenging at all. After the first month I launched my site, I became addicted to it. I updated it constantly and tried to link other sites that would keep my students coming back for more.

I was fortunate enough to use the computer lab for one of my Composition II classes. Fifth block was lucky that the computer lab was not used for another class. During this block, my students were able to access my website, complete class work, and tap into the links for other resources that would help them improve their grammar skills. Additionally, I was happy to have been there physically throughout the whole class period to help them navigate through the Internet.

While it is exciting to incorporate technology in the classroom, educators must ensure that they guide students throughout the process. Technology has helped me become more creative when organizing my lesson plans and engaging my students into the subject matter. And like Chapter 9 mentioned, “(Teachers) gain new insights on teaching by watching their students learn (226).” I can definitely relate to this statement.

In light of what Chapter 9 stated, “Technology is used in preservice seminars for teachers (228),” I believe that the educational system on Guam is still far behind in this regard. More opportunities, in-service training, and technological staff development needs to be a part of the educational system. Perhaps during monthly or bi-monthly faculty/staff meetings, the administrator should devote 15-20 minutes to introducing or sharing classroom websites with the rest of the faculty and staff. Also, a teacher may share his experiences with an online gradebook or another teacher can explain a Webquest that she has incorporated into her classroom activities. While 15 minutes may be a very short time to discuss the use of technology into the classroom, it is better than getting no time at all for a technology boost.