Internet for Educators- Week 6

As our Education classes are coming to an end, and our pre-service teaching placements are in sight, I have finally implemented some technology into my classroom for Social Studies. I remember being told not every to use powerpoint unless you are incorporating something engaging and interesting into it. So, the unit I am presenting overseas is going to be on exploration. I will be using Prezi as one of my teaching tools to teach the material students need to know. The reason I chose Prezi is because it brings a different vibe and visual presentation to the table. The background I chose was the world map as I can place different slides where the different explorers have been. I am very excited to use this tool in class and I think it will engage the students as we go along.

This week, we also had a guest speaker Kelli Boklaschuk from the Brandon School Division. It was excellent to have her presenting as she talked a lot about how technology is being implemented into the Brandon Public School System. The point that stood out the most to me was that Brandon wants to get on board and begin incorporating more technology into the school, but then the topic changed to how much restriction there really is on computers and the internet. Youtube, twitter, and Facebook to name a few. We have been shown how useful these tools can be in the classroom, but yet they are being restricted to many brandon students. 

 Legal implications can be a scary thing for both parents and teachers. This is one of the reasons why many sites are blocked, as it avoids conflict or chance of trouble. But, if teachers and administration are well prepared and knowledgeable and know what they are doing, teachers and students can follow the rules and use the internet to benefit. 

Another problem that technology can bring is change. Many people do not like the thought of change, especially when it comes to the school system that has been working the same way for centuries.To many parents, if the system is changing in some way, and they begin filling out permission forms to use the internet, they can get curious and wonder why they need forms to use technology. It can become annoying to always have to be filling out forms every week.But,  if administration and teachers can show parents how the internet can be used to learn, assess, and open new doors, then parents will get an understanding that maybe this change can be good. Just because it is different does not mean it is bad. It is only a matter of time before technology becomes the dominant force in schools and it will be used on a daily bases.