I would like to have a classroom with more digital technologies. When thinking about using digital technologies, there are so many options out there to bring a lesson together. It is a great way for students and teachers to interact with each other on a level that can be obtained through usage of devices which enhances educational experience. Most students are visual, hands-on learners and it makes me want to be able to reach out to them with objects, such as an electronic whiteboard, to connect with them on a level that they can understand. In the past, I always had a good experience with learning being enhanced with technology and I feel that students in present day have the same ideals. For those who oppose having strong technological ties, maybe they should get a better understanding of how everything works and see the benefits it bestows upon students.
Chapter 11
When it comes to a traditional audio technology, sound recordings on CDs (the book uses cassettes, but technological determinism suggests this medium is dead) are what comes to mind. For an emerging audio technology, internet radio is a great, current technology because it can offer such a wide range of information for the classroom. For the visual technologies, a traditional piece would either be making a bulletin board or a poster to explain a point. As for the emerging technology, a document camera would be a great technology to utilize due to it being more than a projector for transparencies since it can also display 3-D objects.
As for using all four devices, I think they will work out quite well in the classroom. There are text books that have supplemental CDs with either the audio version of a story, or listening exercise for a unit. Also, CDs could be a great way to share different kinds of music with the class. Students can bring in CDs from home and possibly to share with other students in the class. Internet radio would be excellent when discussing either current events or a topic/genre in general. I would have the students listen to a certain station in class and fill out a worksheet about the content of a program’s interview, commentary, or even music. Depending on the availability of home computers, there could be at home assignments to create a presentation of different stations.
For visual technologies, I think that putting together a bulletin board would be fun for the whole class since it is a tangible way to build something that helps visualize the subject at hand. Each group could get a section of the board and make it reflect their own understanding of the subject; or, the same can be done with posters. For a document camera, it can be used to share pictures of a class trip (and if students bring in personal pictures to share) or even to get a closer look at an object that is used for science lessons. By having a document camera, it doubles as a projector and can create less hassle of making a transparency when you can just type out any information on the computer and have it right there in the classroom. Some students might have difficulties with a traditional projector and with a real-time image being displayed, it can help keep a focused classroom.
