Working with Technology

Cindy Leon

TED 400

Professor Sapp

Working with Technology

There used to be a time when teachers could avoid technology in the

classroom, but in today’s world it can no longer be avoided. This can be compared

to the students’ experience. Some students are more tech savvy than others, so as

a teacher, I need to make sure that the technology that I use in the classroom can

benefit all students. I chose three inventories to learn more about the students’

interests and their use of technology. This will assist me with creating lessons

that attract the students’ attention and engage them into participation.

The first inventory that was chosen to learn more about the students’

interests is a survey titled “Student Interest Survey.” This survey focuses on

questions regarding different types of activities which include reading, sports, and

television shows. The great thing about this type of survey is that I get the

opportunity to learn more about the students’ hobbies and passions. This gives me

a chance to connect with the students at a more personal level, but also develop

lesson plans that, I can assume, will produce excitement from them. I can do this

by incorporating the activities that they like and creating assignments that relate

to their hobbies and interests. This survey can be used alongside with more

technology related inventories.

For technology, I chose two inventories, and the first one is done to measure

the students’ computer skills. This survey is titled “Technology Survey,” and it asks

basic questions about computer skills such as keyboarding abilities and the use of

navigating tools. Since technology is usually not measured by schools, it is

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Working with Technology

important for the teacher to know how advanced students are with technology

before incorporating any type of activities that involve computers. I would want to

know if the students own a computer, and if they are able to work with a computer

on their own. This survey helps determine whether I can assign individual

assignments, or if I need to incorporate group activities. With group activities, I

can assign students who have low computer skills with those who are more

advanced.

The second technology inventory, titled “Questionnaire: Technology in the

Classroom,” involves questions about the students’ attitude and experience with

technology. This questionnaire benefits the teachers by informing them how

involved students are with technology and what kind of activities they engage in

with computers. Although the term internet appears to be limited to yahoo or

google, in reality it involves all type of social media, websites, and forms of

communication that students take part in. The focus with the questionnaire is to

determine which programs are popular with the students, and which ones they

would like to explore further. This will give the students the opportunity to

introduce their favorite technology platforms and be part of the learning process

as a teacher incorporates it in the classroom.

When combined, these inventories will help me design assignments that will

get students engaged in the lesson plan and familiar with technology. I also hope

that these types of assignments will be more relatable and it will help them get

comfortable with using technology for classroom assignments. This will help

students prepare for the future that appears to be focused on technology.

References

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Working with Technology

Sanchez, M. 2012, August 13. Student Interest Survey [Worksheet]. Retrieved

from http://pencilsandmagicwands.blogspot.com/

Questionnaire: Technology in the Classroom [Worksheet]. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/angiegum/questionnaire-on-the-use-of-

technology-in-the-classroom

Technology Survey [Worksheet]. Retrieved from

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/162059286567124407/

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