"A Board to Banish Boredom"

The article "A Board to Banish Boredom," written by R. Savita of the Hindy Business Line, is making the claim that incorporating the SMART Board into classrooms will ensure more class participation and engagement. The study goes on to discuss the daunting dropout statistics of students in India. It proposes that if SMART Boards were being used in the school systems, that these statistics would drastically decline resulting in a better education system in India. The article mentions that the interactive white board is a powerful stimulus in the classroom because: Everyone can write on it and are able to save their changes. It has high visual impact, creating a theatrical effect in the classroom. It facilitates better class control/ management, as well as many other benefits.

Role of Technology in the Classroom

So, to be honest this idea of the "classical" way of teaching being outdated is very knew to me. The articles that we have been required to read prior to this reflection, have opened my eyes to the divide between the way in which the educators learned and the way in which today's generation of students has and will continue to learn. I agree that the internet and technological devices are great ways to become familiar with our ever-growing world. With that being said, I am realizing how important it is for the students to be savy with the technology and able to understand how it all works.
However, I feel like the articles we've analyzed are very liberal in their approach to changing the ways of education. By reading them, I get the sense that the authors do not see the importance in learning the basics before skipping ahead to the more complex ideas (with the perception that the students have already learned the basics prior to coming to school). I don't think this is the case for everyone, actually, I don't think this is the case for a lot of students.

I am leaning towards the opinion that incorporating computers, computer-based assignments, and other technological devices into the classroom is a good thing. But I also think that the teachers should continue to educate the students in the areas of mathematics, sciences, etc... with a hands on approach as well (such as in a science lab, or something similar).

"Turning on The Lights"

In this article it was interesting to me that they regarded teachers as no longer being providers of information, but rather explainers of the information that the kids already know. I found this interesting because it insinuates that the knowledge that the teacher has, is not as important as that of what the kids already know and/ or will learn on their own.
The artilce goes on to say that schools are leading kids away from the light? I don’t know if I agree that requiring the students to turn off their electronics is taking them away from the light. In my opinion, it is attempting to eliminate the distractions (that I myself use to take my mind somewhere other than the classroom). I know that when I use these distractions in the classroom, I pay more attention to them than what the teacher is laying out before me.
The article suggests that teachers need to bring the after school learning techniques into the classroom. I agree with incorporating electronics, and such, but I don’t necessarily believe in forgoing all the old ways of education including learning the fundamentals of algebra, science, chemistry, etc.. As much as the studies may have bored me, they helped me form a basic understanding of the world around me. I remember at one point in my college career expressing my frustrations to my dad about being required to continue taking math courses even though I did not intend to pursue a degree in mathematics. But, my father said something to me that really rung true, “math is what the world is made up of. Wheather we realize it or not, everything can be broken down into a mathematic equation.” In realizing this, I am thankful that I was required to take the math classes that I was, so that I now can better understand the world around me.
In conclusion, I agree with incorporating technology into the classroom, but with boundaries of when it is ok to use them, and when it is not. I also agree with the articles view on requiring the students to do assignments that stretch their electronic knowledge. But, I think there needs to be a balance between the old way of thought and the modern way laid out for us in the article "Turning on the Lights."

Reasons for wanting to be a teacher

Initially, I had no interest in becoming a teacher. I didn't really know what I wanted to do, so I started exploring various degrees (needless to say, I spent a lot of extra money and time in school). But, my exploring lead me to the realization that I love to learn about and engage in new cultures. I found I really enjoy studying the Spanish language and would like to pursue a career that would enable me to work abroad and interact with Spanish speaking people.
In voicing this desire, someone offered the idea of teaching English abroad. This really sparked my interest. I looked more into the idea, and made a decision to pursue a degree in TESL, so as to be able to travel, learn myself, as well as impart my knowledge of the English language to those with a foreign language.
After deciding to pursue a career in teaching English as a Foreign language, I next needed to decide what age group I would like to teach. I eventually chose Secondary Education, because I feel a connection with the high school age group and believe I would be successful in intereacting with them in the classroom. I also chose this age group, because I also hope to someday coach high school basketball. So I thought, being a teacher in the same school setting is beneficial.
From this class, I hope to learn new things about technology. At this point, I know enough to do what I need to get done for my studies. But, I realize there is a lot I don't know which will be helpful to learn for my future as a teacher to a generation of technological savy students.