Pay Attention!

The video "Pay Attention!" really did catch my attention. There are so many possible uses for technology in the classroom that I can't decide whether it's overload or truly teaching students. I believe that schools need more funding for technology in the classrooms in order to make many of the possibilities a reality. The school I teach at is Title I, thus many of the students do not have access to computers or the internet at home. Our school is not even on par with other schools in the county. I find myself torn between wanting to use more technology in my classroom while not alienating students who do not have access to the same technology.

I recognize the abundance of materials available at our fingertips in today's technology oriented society, it is the implementation of these materials into the classroom where I struggle. Just the first few days of a technology class at UT have made me realize how little I really know about all the applications available to me and my students. The statistics in the video were eye-opening and really got me thinking about ways that I can use more technology in my classes.

As a math teacher I am a strong advocate of students learning how to solve problems without having to use their calculators. I require students to show their work and each step of solving the problem. As important as showing work is, I feel I could find more creatives ways to change things up once in a while. Instead of requiring students to write the steps to solving a problem, I could have them text me their answers or have a blog in which students can respond.

One of my goals for the fall semester is to find new and innovative ways that I can use technology to help make the math more relevant to my students. The video helped me solidify my decision to use more technology this coming semester in my classroom.