Response to Shardae's Chapter 5 Blog

I agree with you about the need for technology in the classroom. I would not want any student to feel as inadequate with using technology as I do. However, I do have some concerns about trying to incorporate an extensive amount of technology. First, many schools have very limited resources as far as computers for students to use. This is especially true for elementary schools. When a classroom only has one computer for twenty five students, how can a teacher assure enough time for each student to gain training and use of the computer? Also, many children do not have a computer and/or Internet access at home. Giving assignments to be completed with a computer will cause major problems for these children. I know public libraries have computers now that can be used, but in my community the library is only open three afternoons a week until 5:00 p.m. Many parents are still at work when it closes and cannot get their children to the library to use the computer. I think we as teachers should incorporate technology as much as possible without creating additional stress and hardships for the students.

I also agree with your ideas about worksheets. I am so tired of seeing them in every classroom we go into. We have been taught not to use worksheets, that worksheets have very liitle value in instruction. Nonetheless, every teacher we encounter relies heavily on them. Will we be like this when we get our own classrooms? Will the convenience of having preprinted activites and exercises influence our teaching styles to the point that we become what we hate?