Interactive Whiteboards

Interactive whiteboards enhance teaching and learning by creating new ideas for the classroom.  Creating lessons on the smartboard are fun and attention grabbing.  A simple lesson can be turned into something interactive such as a math lesson, science presentation, or a history review.  The smartboard confused me at first.  I think I was overwhelmed with all the things you can use.  But after having a lesson on using the smartboard I felt much more comfortable with it.Pros- It gives children something to look forward too.  It also gives the teacher a chance to get away from lecturing.  Teachers can create a range of different lesson plans and activities.  Cons: Technology does not always work.  The board can also be placed either too high or too low.  Teacher might become dependent on just the smartboard.  One lesson plan that I created was Science.  I taught about the different animals and how they hibernate.  To incorporate the smartboard I would have them do activities on which animals hibernate and which do not.

Software Skills

I think all the software we learned about were all beneficial. These softwares will help our teaching and add many possibilites to our classrooms.  Taking the time to go over this software was interesting and definatley worth it.  I am more aware of the different technology and how to use it properly.  Even in microsoft word learning about the different fonts to use.  I always knew there were hundreds of fonts but now I am more aware of how to use them.  And in my own classroom I will have to make flyers and handouts for parents so now I know what will catch their attention.  I have been using Microsoft Word for a really long time and never knew all the stuff I could do on it until learning about it in this class.  Learning to use a smartboard is important. Technology is getting more advanced each day and I think teachers need to try new things.  The smartboard offers so many new ideas.  Kids love the smartboard and seem to be excited to use it.  Learning how to use a smartboard will keep the classroom refreshed with new ideas.  I also like concept maps in publisher, more for the teacher than the student.  They are helpful when teachers need to plan out what they want to teach for a certain amount of time.  If a teacher is teaching a unit.. this gives the unit an overview of what the teacher wants to include.  I am happy that I gained these software skills to be a better teacher and use technology in my classroom.