A Reflection About 21st Century Teachers and Tech Buddies

After reading “15 Characteristics of a 21st-Century Teacher” and watching “Tech Buddies: Building Technology Skills through Peer Teaching,” I have been inspired to look into more ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.  Before I dove into these resources, incorporating technology meant that I used videos and projected items on the board during lessons. However, after watching and reading these resources, I understand that technology is much more than just projecting things onto a screen. I can use technology to have my students create their own blogs or websites, research people and places, and discover information about the world. Technology has many unused features that could be instrumental in a student's learning, and I hope to continue to identify more ways to utilize technology in the classroom.

One specific technology item that I feel would be beneficial to a class is a web camera. With a web camera, my students could video chat with people from all over the world, whether it be students from a different country or a scientist from across the United States. A web camera would also allow the students to record themselves doing activities, so my students would have the ability to record a speech or play they have written. This creates a unique opportunity to share their ideas and connect with those all over the world. Overall, I hope to one day be able to incorporate a web camera into my classroom.