Item #1

After reading "A Day in the Life" and watching the video, I stopped and reflected on my own education. What about my learning experience did I enjoy, what did I gain the most learning from? What did I take away from my learning that I wanted to pass on to future students? The answers to those questions are probably the same answers that many other educators would say. I enjoyed the learning that was fun or interesting to me (of course). I enjoyed subjects that came easier to me versus math or other subjects I had to work harder in. Once again, a big "of course" there.

I would have to say my students are no different. We enjoy being entertained, and doing activities that we succeed in. We build self esteem, self confidence, and learn from that moment. For these reasons I can completely understand why students love using technology in the classroom. Technology is a hands on tool that enables a child to be creative, expand on classroom content, and give them a chance to learn and grow independently, as a group. What's not to love.

Our students are growing up with technology in almost every facet of their daily lives. We wake up to our favorite Itunes, coffee is set on a timer and there for us when we go downstairs, my car has a remote starter on those cold mornings so I can get my children to school in comfort, my cell phone gives me my updated emails and weather conditions, and that list goes on and on. Technology is a powerful entity in our lives. Not only is it not going away, that entity is getting stronger, smarter and faster, everyday...and I LOVE IT!

As an educator, a mom and a person, there is one main rule I live my life by. That rule is "everything in moderation". Too many apples will make you sick. Too much time in the sun will hurt you, but not enough time outside running around isn't good either. A little bit of everything makes life work. That is what I tell my children and that is the message I try to convey in my teaching. I believe that using technology is a must with our 21st century learners, but I also believe in the power of books, memorizing facts (math facts, grammar rules, spelling, etc) and that education today should be a mix of both styles.

In terms of learning, the same rules apply...a healthy amount of paper and pencil learning, rote memorization, and technology education will make a well rounded, articulate, intelligent person that is ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead.