As we enter the new millenium and the digital age, technology is rapidly being integrated into the school curriculum and classroom environment. Along with the technology training I received in my seminar class, I tried various means to integrate technology into my economics classes during my student teaching. They include:
summary of use: For the most part, I was only able to use this software to create worksheets, tables, graphs, and presentations for my teaching. I did not have an opportunity to teach my students to use all of this software due to the limited access to the computer lab and the limited amount of time I spent with students on a daily basis (~45-50 minute class period). I did assign one paper that had to be typed either at home or at the computer lab. In addition to the student internet assignments [see below], I also encouraged internet research to be completed outside class time if students did not finish work in class.
Reflections: Students enjoyed doing these hands-on activities which were a nice change from the classroom routines. However, many of the computers were either old or overloaded so that students had to deal with slow internet connections. Students would often complain and would not be able to finish their tasks on time due to these slow computers. Also we only had access to about twenty or so working computers which was not adequate enough for the thirty+ students in our class.
Reflections: Students really enjoyed the film clips and were excited to discuss how the film clip related to the economic concepts. I would have liked to incorporate the use of film media on a regular basis to help students to visualize and understand in a tangible way how economic principles work in real life. These film clips also gave me examples and case studies which I could use to refer to on a regular basis and which students would remember easily.
summary of use: I was able to audiotape and videotape myself in class as a tool to receive feedback and improve my teaching. I was also able to use the digital camera to take pictures of students and student work for my portfolio. I wished I had taped the student presentations for the Parkway Foundation so that students would have had an opportunity to observe or assess themselves and gain feedback. Students could also have used the audio/visual technology to produce commercials or advertisements for their product ideas.
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