I am a huge advocate of digital learners and my classroom learning environment reflects that. I have had such a great time learning all the different ways I can use technology in my classroom. It excited me so much that I want to share this information with other teachers but find that many of them don’t have much time to listen or learn new programs that their student are begging to use. It’s just much easier to do the same old thing rather than learn how to do something new. When you walk into my classroom you will find 5 student computers, 3 student digital cameras, 2 CD players, ipod touch, my MacBookPro, an Elmo (document projector), Smart board (promethium board), voice recognition software for students to "write" stories, and its the only classroom in the building with wireless access (installed by me). Sure I have had to learn a lot to be able to use all this technology but when I have kids begging at my door to be in my classroom because of the way we use technology to learn, its all worth the time and effort. Parents are very receptive to their students using technology and know how much they like it. When Open House was going on at our school I informed all the parents in my classroom of the use of technology and they were so excited to have their child in my classroom. Having support from the parents makes it a much easier task also.
Now I just wish it was as easy to motivate other teachers. But on the other hand I too understand their unwillingness to learn new technology. In the last few months, beginning this program, I have had to learn many new programs and web 2.0 sites. This has been a little overwhelming. The major reward after you learn these programs is the ability to use them in your classroom. I have found that it is much easier to show a product from these programs than to just tell about one. That gets people more motivated to use new programs.
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