Technology in the Classroom

I thought the first video on "A Vision of Students Today" (2007) was extremely powerful. Being in a smaller university, I have had a different experience in my classes. The class sizes are small, not lectures, and almost everyone knows your name. I think that is why I chose to come to University of Maine in the first place. I wanted a smaller community where I wouldn't just be another number. I wanted my opinions heard and to be known by my teachers.
I also agree that technology is the future of the classrooms. So many people use technology in their daily lives- whether it be internet, cell phones, TV, etc. It is changing the way students are learning. It is important as a future teacher to take that into account. I will have to plan lessons using technology and I can imagine my students to learn in different ways than I once did in elementary school. I never used a computer until I was in 3rd grade. Therefore, I was shocked that the 3-year olds I was babysitting were already navigating the youtube site to watch episodes of Power Rangers and were exploring Nickelodian for Dora the Explorer games. If kids this young are already using computers and technology, then it must be a way to attract them to learning. It will be like teaching them in their own language.
As future teachers, we can't fight against technology. It is so widely used that we must incorporate it into teaching. The youtube video, "Pay Attention" (2007), gave so many ways to use technology in the classroom. And there are many more creative ways just waiting to be discovered. I didn't even know what podcasts were until today but I think they would be a very useful tool in the classroom. I would definately use them as a review source for my classes if lectures and notes were made available through podcasts.
I liked the ideas that Chris Walsh discussed in his Infinite Think Machine Blog, "And the Walls Came Tumbling Down" (2007), about online communities and their uses for teachers. They can be used both as a resource for teachers to get ideas from each other, as well as for teachers to communicate with parents and students. I will definately use it in my classroom one day. I liked the idea that Johanna Prince had about putting her classroom newsletter online for the parents to read. Also, I found it interesting to put student work online. It would give them a chance to share their students pride with others.
Mike Muir had some great points in his blog "Do Something Disruptive" (2006) in that some teachers are still reluctant to change their teaching methods to incorporate technology. They have taught in certain ways for so long and are afraid to leave that comfort zone. However, it is extremely important to integrate technology into teaching if you want to have an effect on children. Afterall, technology is the future. So we must accept changes to make changes.
Overall, I found these videos and articles interesting and motivating. I didn't realize how much technology really is changing the classrooms and I think it is important to learn more about it as a future teacher.