Hello World,
My name is Belinda Peters and welcome to my wordpage site! I hope you enjoy browsing my site and finding out more about me, my interests and my experiences throughout the Information Technology in Classroom Unit! The purpose of the site is to expand my knowledge of Information Technology and how i can implement it into the everyday running of the classroom.
Intergrating Information Technology into the Classroom.
ICT has become an essential component to the learning in the 21st Century. Throughout the last couple of decades, Information Technology has grown and developed at a rapid rate with the advancements in technology. Computers have become a prime part in the everyday living especially in children. They are excited, engaged and very quick to learn aspects surrounding ICT. ‘Research has shown that 3- and 4-year-old children who use computers have significantly greater developmental gains when compared to children without computer experiences in developmental areas of intelligence, nonverbal skills, structural knowledge, long-term memory, manual dexterity, verbal skills, problem solving, abstraction, and conceptual skills’ (Haugland, 1992). With this research, it is essential to integrate computers into primary schools to continue and maximise the development of all students.
Not only does research show the benfits of ICT, The Institute of Teachers also state that Graduate teachers must have “knowledge of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the following areas:
1.1.4 Demonstrate current knowledge and proficiency in the use of the following
• Information technology skills
• Software evaluation skills
• Effective use of the internet
• Pedagogical skills for classroom management.
With this standard put into place, it is essential that teachers have training in ICT so that it can be integrated into the classroom successfully.
http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au/IgnitionSuite/uploads/
When integrating computers into the classroom, it is important that educators program to suit their students, resources and schedules (Computers and Young Children, 2007). Teacher training is another essential component for successful integration of Information Technology. Training opportunities enable teachers to build skills and confidence and learn strategies to integrate computers into their curriculum. As teachers implement technology into the classroom, their vision of the role of technology in teaching and learning will undoubtedly change. Administrators need to continually support teachers in their quest to discover how technology can best enhance children’s learning (Computers and Young Children, 2007).
(See my Learning Experience Page for my 1,500 word ICT analyses on digital documents)
Information Technology is growing everyday and the demand for teachers to use, implement and educate students within this area is an essential component of the modern curriculum.
At the start of the unit i set myself the following five goals. See my reflection page to see whether they have been reached.
1. Become comfortable and confidence with my own understanding of IT.
2. Become aware of teaching/learning strategies in which i could implement into my classroom.
3. Become aware of how online sites and programs could assist in the creativity within the classroom.
4. Become excited and engaged in the IT area.
Current Resume
To find out more about me and my professional experience, click on the pdf link below and view my current resume!
Click here to see my resume in a pdf belresume
Hello Belinda,
Like you my goals for completing this unit include being able to develop and become aware of teaching and learning strategies to implement into the classroom through technology.
Too often I see teachers using computers as a free time reward or only allowing students to access websites for mathematics or science.
I would like to be able to take away from this unit the knowledge that computers are more useful than a free time reward.
Hi Bel,
Just like one of your goals in IT is to indeed become confident in my own understanding before even attempting to teach it to young children, even though we have had endless opportunities on casual days to become familiar with technology in the classroom, it is still not 200% clear in my mind, especially the use of the smart board.
Great start to your weblog!
Yes I bet you’ll achieve all your goals Belinda! I also wanted to say thanks for your presentation this week – I never knew you could create graphs in word. I even made a page to thank your group =)
http://ericksson.wordpress.com/digital-documents/