WEEK 1: Educational Technology Training!

I have not started teaching in the regular classroom, but I have already started to learn different forms of educational technology. Computers is what I always thought of when the term, “educational technology” came up. After just the first week of class, I have learned that educational technology is so much bigger than that. Educational technology today, is any form of media that is used for instruction in classrooms. Whether it is a computer, email, Internet, Phone, Computer games, etc. there are so many out there. I have learned that as a teacher it is so important for me to become competent in all of the areas of educational technology. Without the education technology competency, most children would not get the proper education that would help them succeed in the near future.


As a young adult, I have always felt that I am very competent when it comes to technology. However, after the reading and technology competency worksheet that I did, I have come to realize that as a teacher; I have a lot to learn in order to be successful for my students. I always knew that schools have strived to have the best and latest technology no matter what the financial situation is. Until this week, I had no clue that there was the ISTE who put together the things that all teachers should be competent in, in technology. Although librarians today are referred to as media specialists, I definitely feel that as teachers it is important for us to also be media specialists. Things such as keeping up with publications, search engines, software, etc are crucial in schools and media specialists. So that I am certain I have complete educational technology competence in my classroom, I will attend various professional development conferences and training opportunities. Although my plan is to go to these pd conferences, it is very possible that my current school may not have the resources to send me to these. I am near many rural areas where there isn’t a lot of excess money for technology training. I will overcome this obstacle by doing online training programs that will teach me the most up to do educational technology tools. The book educated me on various online training web sites that offer courses and workshops. Attending and participating in these workshops, whether in person, or online, I will know that I am always surrounding myself and students with the most up to date classroom technology learning tools and be able to use them properly.

All students are different which means that all students have different learning styles. Being up to date in classroom technology will give me the opportunity to educate ALL of my students in a manner that fits them best. Even if it takes me, attending online training conferences on my own, I am willing to learn what is needed.