Responses & Reflections for Part 1A&B

Needless to say technology in instruction will be the weakest area of education that I come across. While taking these assessments, I found that the certainty and confidence that I assumed in regards to technology that I had, were very bad assumptions. As each question progressed on I found myself more and more lost. I found that many of these questions were beyond my reach, not only did I not use them in my classroom or in my school day, but I had no idea what they were referring to. I found that the basic programs that I use such as word, excel, powerpoint presentations, electronic grade book and lesson planner only scratched the surface to what is actually out there. I also found that as technologically savvy as my school district claims to be there is not much follow through on professional development on technology or is there much of an instruction based approached. I teach math in 8th grade, and as much as I want to incorporate technology into my curriculum it is a task that I fear approaching. Not because of the lack of importance to our students, but because of my lack of knowledge and confidence to use the technology to teach the mathematical concepts required by the state. I have been been using the graphing calculators in my classrooms for many years but only with my Algebra I students. After taking these surveys I really want to integrate the calculators into my on-level classes as well. I feel that this would help me reach the differentiated learner at a different level. This survey has also pointed out many opportunities to me that I am missing to give my students the “leg-up” when it comes to mastering skills needed for their state assessments.