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First Year of Teaching
My first year of teaching I really wasn't sure how to use technology in the classroom. I used the SMART Board for some interactive lessons, but other than that I really used technology as a reward time. I would allow students to take their breaks on either the computer or iPads and play games of their choice. The only educational app I used consistently was Lexia. I also didn't have any resources on how to teach students about how to use technology. -
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Second Year of Teaching
This year I wanted to make sure students could be more independent using technology. I had third graders who didn't know how to sign into the computer. I made sure to take the time to show students how to log in, and how to bookmark their favorite websites. While this definitely helped students build independence using technology, I still was using it as mostly a reward time instead of an instructional tool. I continued to use Lexia, but overall students used technology as a reward time. -
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Third Year of Teaching
Taking TCH 430 the first half of the school year really helped me understand how I can better use technology in my classroom. Instead of using it as a filler activity or just a reward time, I try to engage students in learning while allowing them to use technology with more guidance versus direct instruction. I've seen a difference while allowing them to explore with technology more with their engagement and retention. I want to continue using technology in authentic ways in my classroom.