Technology Reflection

     Technology in the classroom can be a wonderful asset but it can also be a great downfall. This article has wonderful examples about how to and how not to integrate technology in the classroom. Technology is not to be a crutch or a time filler. It is however something that should be used to complete the lesson and have a home connection to the parents. In the article it said that teachers have to be careful to use technology to let the students share their work, not just to do an electronic worksheet! There were many examples that will help me integrate technology into my classroom! I want my students to be able to share what they are working on and be able to use technology effectively.

     Mrs. Weather's has taught us so much about technology in the classroom in just the few short weeks that we have known her! She has given us many resources to use and showed us how to use them. The importance of technology in today's classroom is obvious, but the appropriate use is another problem all together. Mrs. Weathers has stressed to us that sticking an iPad in a child's face does not enhance learning. You MUST have a purpose and it is so very important that the activity is something that can be assessed! The child is not doing busy work! These activities need to be meaningful and add to the learning of the student.

     There was one quote from the article that I found to be very true;"Should not our goal be to develop independent learners?". We want our students to be able to go out and be independent people, we want them to discover and learn on their own. How are they to do this if we never teach them how to use the tools at hand? Unless we show them all of the many possibilities of the technology they will never use it to its full potential! It is our job as educators to guide the children to use their resources but not to abuse them.

Here's the link! http://kathycassidy.com/2013/01/05/the-use-and-abuse-of-technology-in-the-classroom/

STEM Reflection

     The very first week of class Mrs. Weathers told us that we would be teaching a STEAM lesson. She was super excited about it so how could we not be? I sat and listened to her enthusiastically tell us about this lesson and the more she talked the more intimidated I was by it! It seemed like a super advanced concept for a not so advanced teacher candidate. But Mrs. Weathers always knows best and assures us that there is nothing to worry about (on a daily basis) so I knew she would help when the time came. This week, she sent us an article to read about STEAM activities. The article is WONDERFUL! After reading it, I feel reassured and ready to teach my STEAM lesson!

     This article talked about the many ways to make an ordinary lesson a STEAM lesson. One portion in particular says that we do not have to reinvent the whole lesson, just look at it through a different lens. That is a wonderful way to look at a STEAM lesson! I was trying to make this so hard when really it is just integrating these wonderful hands-on activities to the lessons I already plan to teach!    
     The article also says that you have to enlist the help of others in your school. We do not have our own classrooms yet, but incorporating my cooperating teacher is something that I had not thought of! She already has the experience and I know that she will be a wonderful asset to me in building my lesson. After reading this I also learned that I can use my professors as well to help me. This article was full of ideas and reassuring facts for the struggling teacher. STEAM is no longer a scary topic to avoid and worry about later, I am excited to get started! Thank you for the article Mrs. Weathers, you'll never know how much it helped! 

Here's the link! http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2015/04/03/stem-it's-elementary 

This is an "All About Me" Prezi that I presented in class!

Who is She?

Welcome to my blog!

     I am an over enthusiastic, excited, and optimistic future teacher who wants to share my findings and experiences with you! I created this blog as an assignment for a class that I am enrolled in, but the deeper I dig into education the more thankful I am for this hidden opportunity!
     You have either landed here by accident or you already know the girl behind the blog. So assuming the first option; I am Lauren from Alabama! I am currently enrolled at Jacksonville State University in the Early Childhood/Elementary Education program and loving every second of it! I have a wonderful family and support system and I cannot wait to pursue my dreams! Join me as a document my journey from Teacher Candidate and student to "Day 1" in my very     own classroom!