First Posting!

I am currently in an Instructional Design and Technology class for Elementary Teachers. It has been very interesting and informative. The other day we watched the video 10 Big Ideas For Better Classrooms . It suggested ten ways that we can improve our classrooms. Here are my thoughts on some of the ways:
     The world around us is changing; technology being a large part of that change. This requires our methods of teaching to change. As our students grow and prepare for life in the real world they must become adept in things such as technology and real world problem solving. 10 Big Ideas For Better Classrooms offers some interesting solutions. One solution was technology integration in the classroom. Things as simple as using a computer to create a game show to help study for a test or as complex as teaching students how to use GPS, probes, and laptops to do studies on the world around them will not only make classes more interesting for the student, but teach them the technological skills they need to do well in this ever changing world.
     Another method of teaching that can assist our students in the real world is Project-based learning. Project based learning is hands on real world projects in the classroom. And example the video gives is students using their geometry skills to “build” a high school. This kind of learning makes the lessons fun, interesting, and requires the students to use real world problem solving skills. It also can foster communication and collaboration skills whenever it requires students to work together as a group.
    The video also mentioned parent and community involvement. Technology has made that much easier on us as teachers. We can now be connected to parents or the community through ways such as emails, web pages, and blogs. If a parent has a question or concern they can instead email the teacher instead of writing notes back and forth.
   The video also discussed the idea of studying "Emotional Intelligence". I thought this was very interesting. Teaching kids to express their emotions in proper ways is very important. I believe many kids now days do not know how to properly express themselves and so end up frustrated and angry. This is something that I would like to integrate into my classroom one day because teaching kids how to deal with social and emotional problems will help them throughout their lives.
  As a student studying to be a teacher I am faced with deciding what I want to one day implement in my classroom. While technology is sure to be implemented some of the dilemmas I face with it are: "How do I use technology in a safe way for everyone involved?", "Will my school even have the funds to have technology in the classroom?", and "What are some specific ways I can use technology to make class more interesting and get parents and the community more involved?" As I go through this technology and design class I hope to explore some of these questions and more and post what I find later.