Week Three Changes in Technology

It was pretty amazing reflecting on the changes in technology that have occurred the past three decades. I can't even picture a computer that takes up a whole room like those that were around in the 1970's! It was also interesting reading student comments in the article, "Oh the Changes We've Seen" because many of the students quoted were reporting on what computer programs they were using in the 1980's. Many of the programs they used for drawing and simple word processing were developed before I was born.
The article detailed how computers in the realm of education used to be simply tools for reviewing assignments. Simple programs could create flashcards or be used to practice vocabulary. Students were expected to be "learners of facts" and could use computers as tools in improving memory and practicing writing. Today, computers provide the sole way for students to produce written assignments (sadly, penmanship has become a lost art in the process). With the advent of the World Wide Web, information for projects and assignments is readily available.
As a future teacher, I feel it is imperative that I am aware of how to use technology and use it as an effective tool to enhance the education of very tech-savvy students. After all, most of the students I will be teaching will be of the My Space generation. They were basically raised in front of computers. While I do not have a My Space page, I do plan on developing a website when I teach so students will have online access to handouts, assignment guidelines, testing information, and an e-mail address where students and parents can reach me. I also want to make sure students understand online ethics and also plagiarism. They need to understand what sites and online journals are academic sources and what ones are not. I still want to teach students how to do research in the library, but they also need to be proficient in online searches.
I also would like to keep track of what tools I could use online for myself as well as students. For me, rubistar is a very helpful website. I also think blogging may be good in order to communicate with other educators. I could also have my students complete blogs, such as when we read Romeo and Juliet. I could have my students keep a blog from either Romeo or Juliet's perspective throughout the play and have them turn that in rather than merely writing an essay. There are many wonderful tools available and I am looking forward to continuing to learn and think more about how incorporating technology into the curriculum will be enriching for myself and my students.