Day 2

Off to a slow start today but with a creative finish. Class was mostly review for some of us I'm sure as far as Microsoft Word and Excel are concerned. These two programs may seem trite and overly simple but their utility to teaching must not be underestimated. Excel will really come in handy for keeping track of grades and attendance later on down the road. However, I'm not entirely sure I would use MS Word for creating quizzes or tests. There are just way too many bells and whistles on some of these programs that hinder more than help. As far as the podcast goes, I'm feeling pretty optimistic and hope to integrate this technology into other endeavors. A new technology learned is often a new tool in a teacher's repertoire, but sometimes the best way to teach is the old fashioned way with the book and the brain.

Day 1 in Computers

A swell class, but that only comes as an after thought and not as a first impression. At first my thoughts about this class were bleak and on the borderline of despondency. Honestly, how exciting does "Computers in the Classroom" sound? My first assumptions soon faded after watching a few short videos about how technology is shaping the future of education one click at a time.

I must say, this class turned out to be more interesting than I first expected. The class discussion raises many essential questions about not only technology and education, but about the very essence of what it means to be human. Technolgoy has opened the world to a flood of thoughts and ideas, but how much of the internet is a desperate plea to say somthing, say anything, and call it art or truth? Is technology a blessing, a burden, a damned distraction, or just another form of saying hello? You decide.