Week 2 comes to a close….

Well I can’t believe I made it through week 2! I have to say that in only 2 short weeks, I have learned so much about technology and that I can use a lot of the programs that I never thought I could! I already have some favorites that I can’t wait to bring into the classroom (del.icio.us and slideshare!)
While I always knew how important it was to be safe on the Internet, I think talking about safety issues in my group really helped shed light on the fact that some students really put themselves at risk when they use technology, especially the Internet. It opened my eyes to the fact that while the Internet should be used, it can never hurt to review some safety procedures and why students should be aware of the risks out in cyberspace.
I’m also very glad that I became more aware of the National Technology Standards. After viewing them and their purposes, I think its great to use them as a reference guide to ensure technology instruction is helping students become critical thinkers that are involved in collaborative group processes. It’s so important to not forget about technology and that standards do exist.
I’m looking forward to week 3 and all of the challenges that lie ahead. I can’t wait to see what other new technologies are available that I can use for not only personal use, but more importantly in my classroom. I’m very interested in seeing my students’ reaction to integrating these new tools into my classroom to create a more balanced learning experience.