Week 2

As a classroom teacher, I see the importance of using technology especially adaptive technology in the classroom.  I have encountered many different learning styles in my seven years of teaching.  For many students, technology is one of the main factors in their success. However, after reading through the class discussion posts and drawing from my own experiences, I have broadened my perspectives.  From my experiences, the library is a place where teachers can bring down students.  If necessary, the Library Media Specialist will teach a lesson.  There are also iPads and laptop carts that teachers can check out.  From what I know and use, that is the extent of the technology that comes and goes through the library.  There is a tech department that deals with the technology in the school.  They install, fix, and give you the technology that you want to use in your classroom. There is also a technology liaison through BOCES that teaches in-service classes on devices such as iPads, different types of software that can be installed on the iPad to enhance education, how to use websites required by the district, and any type of web 2.0.   She also visits the school and classrooms for technological assistance each week. In addition, any classroom teacher can apply to teach an in-service class on technology. Also, the special education teacher works with the classroom teacher to ensure that a student with learning disabilities receives all of his accommodations including that of technology.  I see this as a district and its employees working together to ensure the best education of its students.  Many comments in the class discussion led to the idea that the Library Media Specialist leads the way for accessing technology in the school.  I think that the library is a good starting point and that the LMS plays a large roll in technology.  However, the above examples show that there are other large sources for accessing technology. In addition, from experiences, teaching is a field that requires a large amount of planning.  Although Library Media Specialists can put a live schedule on the Internet, it does not always work with the schedule of a teacher especially when the teacher teachers 3-4 different classes each day.  It can be difficult for each teacher to access the library in a big school when the seating is minimal.  I am pursing a field in Library Science because I believe that there needs to be a shift in how technology is used and accessed throughout the school.  I would like the opportunity to change what I see based on my experiences as a teacher.  I think that working towards becoming a Library Media Specialist will change my perspective, and I will gain new experiences in the education field.  I do think that the library should be the main hub for technology in a school.  As a Library Media Specialist in a school, I think that the opportunities to incorporate technology in the lives of students and teachers are endless especially those that are learning disabled.  In the past, during student teaching, I learned many ideas and strategies.  However, they were all for the ideal classroom setting, the ideal students, and the ideal situations.  They never worked out as expected in real life situations.  I hope to gain strategies that will be practical and useful as I pursue this new career path.  So far from this class, I have been enlightened with great ideas, but question them due to my experiences teaching.  As I continue with this course, I hope that I can put some of these ideas and theories to practice in real life situations and gain new knowledge and experience.