Journal+Entry+7

I think we've had a pretty good overview in class of the ways that you can use technology in the classroom, but really, we've mostly focused on ways to use the computer. Technology covers a lot more than that. For example, you might use a calculator for a kid with some sort of learning disability in math so that he or she could still access the content. Also, in order to use video, either from the Internet or elsewhere, it helps to have a way to project your video from the computer for the classroom. Otherwise, it becomes really different to find a way to get all the students to be able to see the stuff on the computer that you want them to see.

When we are talking about the tools that we've used in class, we've mostly focused on ways that teachers can use the technology or that kids can learn the technology, but we haven't really talked about the computer as a tool for a struggling student. In my special ed class, we talked a lot about how technology can be used to help people with all kinds of disabilities, and this is certainly true of the computer. Microsoft Word could be used by a student having trouble writing, etc.

Technology can also be a great motivator. Having the option to make a video or a powerpoint can get kids participating and involved when they otherwise wouldn't be.

The end.

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