Maybe not too technology saavy because on the emphasis on testing this semester, but I've at the least become more conscious and have attempted to integrate technology as opposed to the past where it really didn't matter. When school started I implemented Edmodo for reader response journals, and then in the spring we began using Glogster for main idea and details in a center.

I absolutely love the idea of this video. Technology is not far from there. It might look unreal now, but it will soon come. I remember when we used to dream of being able to make a phone call and see someone, now we have Skype, and Facetime! The things that we see in movies look impossible, but in due time we will really have those things.

That would be a great idea Laurie. A technology period would be ideal, where teachers would just be able to integrate the technologies in the classroom without having to take time to show students how to use the technology. A technology class could be used in rotation with PE as an elective. This class would be great just to introduce the students to how to use the applications, then students will be able to apply and integrate into the core subjects.

Since beginning the MTT program I've become more aware of implementing technology in my classroom. I gradually began by using Edmodo as a way to have my students post reader response journals. I stopped using Edmodo, because not all my students had access to a computer at home and there was not enough time for the students to complete that homework assignment in class. This semester we introduced Glogster. It was an instant hit! Our students love to be able to do work on the computer and still use their reading abilities and learning. I love that I finally found a way to get them to read and write about what they learned! Little by little I hope to be implementing more technology applications in the classroom. What is your favorite classroom technology application?

I've used World Book to get articles for my center activities. I have always loved EBSCO and used it through the university. Our library also has access to other things such as Discovery Education and United Streaming. They have excellent virtual field trips and videos of all sorts that are educational.

I think you're right Adriana. Tablets are definitely the in thing right now. Technology changes so fast. Before when you would walk into an electronic store you would see desktops only. Gradually the laptop started coming in. Today, you go in there and there are limited amount of desktops, a variety of inexpensive and accessible laptops, and an entire section of tablets. There are so many apps available to do a variety of things, before you know it tablets will take over or something better.

Something we've incorporated in our grade level is having our students create glogsters with information they have read. We've use it for different non fiction articles as well as for topics that they've read about in Social Studies class. Students actually want to read so that they are able to create a glogster and use the computer. This is a great tool to use in the classroom, although it's not free. I was fortunate enough to have my campus administrator reimburse me for the purchase of the license.

One of the biggest problems that I saw in our STaR chart was the teaching and learning. Teachers were not very aware of how to integrate technology. They know it is something they have to do but are unaware of how to do it. I know one of the problems I see in my classroom with using Web 2.0 is that some requires certain plug ins to be installed and in order to install anything you must be an administrator. THis causes a lot of problems because another area of concern in our campus STaR chart was the time it takes technology to respond to requests.

With this program I've know realized how little technology opportunities I was providing for my students. Like Claudia mentioned I thought that by me using the SMART Board that was technology integration. Since beginning the program I've discovered new ways of using technology in classroom activities, like using Edmodo for class discussions and reader response, also using Glogster as a center activity instead of paper and pencil. This last week for our performance assessment I had the students using a Flip Camera to record a "pseudo" news cast interviewing a character from a story. THey really enjoy these types of activities.

You're right Maria, teachers are afraid of using technology because it is the unknown. What we don't see sometimes is that sometimes the students know way more than what some of us do. We should definitely use this to our advantage in the classroom.