Technology- doing things differently or doing different things?

Look around your classroom. Do you see your computers, laptops, Ipads, overheads, Elmos, SmartBoards?

What do you do with them? Really think about what you do with your technology. Do you use them to "Do things differently" or are you "Doing different things?"

I would like to you think about what you are doing in your classroom with your technologies. Are you utilizing the technology in the best way? Are your students getting the most out of the technologies? Are they learning with the technologies?

"Today we clearly are in the realm where the question is not how technology should change to fit the classroom practice, but rather how, given current technology, the classroom practice could change." (Thornburg, D 2004)

Resources:

Thornburg, D. (2004). Technology and education: Expectations, not options. (Executive Briefing No. 401). Retrieved from http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/briefings/expectations.pdf

Introduction and learning about blogger for EDUC 6710

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Hello everyone!

My name is Prudence Lybeck. I teach Special Education (SpEd) grades preK-6. I have 27 students on active IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). I teach in a town with 3200 people as of the 2010 census (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). We are a K-12 district. We do offer Special Education preschool. We do not offer general education preschool.

I have been teaching in Shelby, MT for five years. I love teaching and being in a small town. My husband has a family farm that is eighty miles away. If you are from the country, you know that this is not far; it is easily a day drive. My first year teaching I drove back and forth, my husband and I then bought a house in the town I teach. That helped a lot.

I have one son who is 14 months old. We have another one on the way. We are due July 9, 2012. I coach high school Speech & Drama, which is so much fun. I am the local program coordinator for Special Olympics; our team has Athletes from four towns. I also work for Special Olympics as the Area Public Relations Coordinator.

Special Olympics is a huge passion for me. I am sure my posts will have information about up and coming events we are planning.

This was a quick introduction! I look forward to this blog and my EDUC 6710 class.

References:

United State Census Bureau. (2012). 2010 census interactive population search. Retrieved from                 http://2010.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=30

Some helpful links:

http://www.shelbymt.com/

http://www.shelbymtchamber.org/

http://www.somt.org/