Banner Question: How do I apply technology effectively in a second grade classroom?
Background:
Throughout the past twenty years that I've been teaching in the
elementary classroom, I've been
teaching either third or fourth grade.
Third and fourth grades were my comfort zone.
It was what I was used to teaching.
In 2007, I was asked by the administration to move
to the second grade. This was a major move.
It involved moving from the intermediate grades to
the primary.
I was very used to building on what the primary teachers
had done. I was not as comfortable with buidling that foundation myself.
I was moving out of my comfort zone.
Technological implications: If I were being asked to leave my comfort zone,
at least I would take my security blanket with me. Technology is my
metaphorical security blanket. I've discovered the computer to be
a wonderful tool in teaching both third and fourth grades. I've discovered that
it increases motivation, ontask engagemant of learning
tasks, and creative thinking and output. I've found that it enhances
communication with parents. I've found that it makes the learning
process more enjoyable. But that was all with third and fourth graders.
They were old enough and mature enough to handle many of the
more sophisticated tasks that working with technology involved.
Second graders were little kids, with short attention spans, less
maturity, and life experience. Was there a place in the second grade
for constructive use of the computer? Or were second graders simply
not ready yet? These concerns were what led me to the banner question:
How do I apply technology to the second grade classroom?
teaching either third or fourth grade.
Third and fourth grades were my comfort zone.
It was what I was used to teaching.
In 2007, I was asked by the administration to move
to the second grade. This was a major move.
It involved moving from the intermediate grades to
the primary.
I was very used to building on what the primary teachers
had done. I was not as comfortable with buidling that foundation myself.
I was moving out of my comfort zone.
Technological implications: If I were being asked to leave my comfort zone,
at least I would take my security blanket with me. Technology is my
metaphorical security blanket. I've discovered the computer to be
a wonderful tool in teaching both third and fourth grades. I've discovered that
it increases motivation, ontask engagemant of learning
tasks, and creative thinking and output. I've found that it enhances
communication with parents. I've found that it makes the learning
process more enjoyable. But that was all with third and fourth graders.
They were old enough and mature enough to handle many of the
more sophisticated tasks that working with technology involved.
Second graders were little kids, with short attention spans, less
maturity, and life experience. Was there a place in the second grade
for constructive use of the computer? Or were second graders simply
not ready yet? These concerns were what led me to the banner question:
How do I apply technology to the second grade classroom?
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