Prezi is just Dandy!

I love using Prezi in my classroom! I am so tired of PowerPoint presentations. Prezi allows presenters to create a non-linear presentation that can zoom in and zoom out on each slide. I find this program to be very beneficial because in my Marketing classroom students create some type of presentation with each chapter. Watching PowerPoint after PowerPoint becomes extremely boring and mundane. Prezi allows students to be more creative, which is an essential skill in marketing. It can definitely be a little tricky to figure out at first, but once you get the hang of it, students usually enjoy it.

http://prezi.com

Journal Article Review

Technology in the Classroom

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

As a business teacher I completely understand the relevance of incorporating technology in the classroom. However, simply incorporating technology is not the be all and end all of improving student test scores. Many teachers are unsure of exactly how to incorporate technology in the classroom. I had a professor in college who insisted that if we used a PowerPoint during a lesson we had to list that as technology on our lesson plans. I don’t disagree that the use of PowerPoint isn’t technology; however, simply putting your lecture notes in a PowerPoint instead of hand-writing doesn’t constitute effective technology use in the classroom.

Robert Marzano is widely known in education as a leader in effective classroom strategies. This journal article is based on his approach to teaching. The article discusses technology can have a valuable effect on learning if used properly. The authors explains that by incorporating technology, you turn a classroom from a teacher-centered class to a student-centered class. The students are able to be more actively in charge of what they learn.  The Director of Curriculum and Technology of the Sedgewick Public Schools in Kansas initiated a one-to-one computer program for the district. Many superintendents and faculty from neighboring districts came to visit to see how this technology was implemented. Many left surprised to realize that it wasn’t about the technology specifically, but how it was implemented and changed teaching and learning in the classroom. Technology can certainly benefit special-education students and level the playing field for them. There are many online tutorials for auditory learners and programs that assist students who need visuals.

Effective technology in the classroom is used in conjunction, not instead. It should enhance their learning or demonstrate how the concept is applied in the real world. Students need to know that what they are learning is relevant.

Technology does not necessarily “revolutionize” a classroom. Classrooms are not like a business where equipping them with millions of dollars in technology magically increases scores and students will be off to Harvard. Even though technology is extremely important in the classroom and can truly enhance the educational experience, it is not the answer to automatically improving test scores.

Why I Became a Teacher....

During my junior year in college at UK I took a job as an after-school counselor at a local elementary school. It was the best job I had in my life! I absolutely loved spending time with the kids everyday...even though some days they made me want to pull my hair out. It was such a joy having an impact on their life. However, at that time I was one year away from graduating with my BS in Accounting where I couldn't wait to sit behind a desk all day and crunch numbers all day (yes you may yawn now!) Fast forward to two years later and I'm living in Bowling Green bored out of my mind sitting behind a desk all day auditing school districs and non-profit companies. I felt like I was doing nothing for the greater good of mankind. I made the executive decision to go back to school for my teaching degree. The very first night of my introductory to education class I knew I was right where I needed to be. I knew I wanted to teach business! I wanted to prepare children for life after the luxuries and easiness of high school (or at least that's how my high school experience was). I believe education should be relevant and exciting. I understand that everyday can't be a carnival, but students should know exactly why they are learning something...and an answer shouldn't be... so you can pass the test at the end of the year. Education absolutely and certainly should prepare students for college and/or the real world. I feel I succeed in that because of the content I teach. I teach students basics of word processing, how to be a good consumer, resumes, cover letters, and interview skills just to name a few. I thoroughly enjoy coming home everyday and feeling like I accomplished something bigger than myself...even if it might have been simply making a kid who has a bad home life feel good.

Wishing for a Snow Day

I heart snow days!! :-)