I'm a Digital Immigrant Teaching Technology Natives

Technology Transforms Terrific Teachers

Two summers ago I was informed that I would be receiving a Smartboard in my classroom, as well as a document camera.  While I had seen others use them, I was most definitely a "newbie" to this technology.  I was emotionally caught somewhere between excitement and complete fear.  I felt completely ignorant and a bit overwhelmed.  As luck would have it, our district technology specialists published the summer professional development courses they would be conducting and I signed up for six of the twelve being offered. Two days after school ended I took my first class.  I was thrilled with the many enhancements to my classroom that these tools of technology had to offer.  

That first year I focused on using my Smartboard  and document camera for more than just a glorified overhead projector.  I started learning other ways to incorporate technology into my classroom.   Year two,  I beefed up my parent communication with Google Drive.  I shared documents and calendars.  I embraced texting and Twitter.  I learned about apps and websites that enhance the core curriculum.  I fanagled extra lab time for my students so as to teach them all the amazing things I was learning and I took time to let them teach me what they knew and what they liked.

This summer I am preparing for a huge transformation in my classroom.  I am adding Google Chromebooks.

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/business/devices/

I am so grateful for donations from Donors Choose as well as an amazing principal who has made it possible for me to acquire and entire classroom set.  The guys in the  IT department aren't quite as excited as I am.  No one else in the district has ever used them in their classroom and so I am their technology test subject.  I couldn't be more thrilled.  

I am most excited about Google Drive and how it will enhance the writing process. Additionally, the idea of eliminating excessive use of paper and becoming a GREENER classroom absolutely thrills me.  

I am loving the direction my classroom is taking.  I love that we can collaborate and interface with each other as well as other students like us in other districts, states or even countries.  The fact that I am able to take core standards to new levels because of technology is indeed very exciting.