Current+Classroom

= My Current Classroom and Use of 21st Century Technologies =
 * Classroom and School Environment:**


 * Since I do not have my own homeroom classroom, my classes are held in various rooms throughout the building. Besides teaching 11th grade English, I am also the Librarian at the school and yearbook advisor. My main office is located within the Library, which houses over 7,000 books in a brand new, beautifully designed space. There are 3 computers and six tables that hold thirty students. I now have access to a SmartBoard within the Library; therefore, many of my classes are taught within this comfortable space.
 * Other classrooms consist of rows of desks and chalkboards. SmartBoards are now installed in at least 3 rooms per floor (3 floors, about 6-8 classrooms on each floor).
 * Televisions with VCR and DVD capabilities are located on each floor (shared within classrooms).
 * About half of the staff integrates the SmartBoard and computer lab within their curriculums. The computer lab is often utilized by guidance department classes, which are involved in collecting cognitive data from the students. The guidance office is undergoing a research study with Dr. Akane Zusho on independent learning/thinking (professor at Fordham).
 * Please click on the following link to view pictures of various classrooms and the Library within the school: []


 * Before the Literacy Institute, this is a list of the technologies that I used within my classroom:
 * 1) Classroom blog (please click on the page to the left that is entitled "English 11 Classroom Blog")
 * 2) WebQuest (project Online)
 * 3) Internet Scavenger Hunt
 * 4) PowerPoint presentations (I always accompany any mini-lectures with visuals)
 * 5) Student created PowerPoint presentations (projects)
 * 6) UnitedStreaming Videos (Discovery Education)
 * 7) TeacherTube.com videos (highly recommended!)

** Reflection - Experiences with Twenty-First Century Literacies and Technologies as a Teacher and Student: **
 * Teacher - I have used several technological tools within my classroom, such as Internet scavenger hunts, a classroom blog (including a discussion board), interactive review games (i.e. Jeopardy!), and PowerPoint presentations. As a teacher, I have taught myself how to use these tools because they were not discussed within my undergraduate educational courses (graduated in 2007). I had never seen a SmartBoard until I started teaching; therefore, many of its applications were acquired through trial and error (prior to lessons of course!) and having an open mind to integrate new tools into my teaching. I still do not make //full// use of the SmartBoard's tools, and hope to do so in the future! This goal will require preparatory time to reflect upon how new tools can be integrated into the curriculum, but with patience I am willing to use new features for my students' benefit. Also, I am fortunate to have easy access to the SmartBoard, which eliminates the challenge of having to schedule a time to utilize it.

During my first year of teaching, I decided to use the SmartBoard within my first observation. The lesson involved using the SmartBoard to review a graphic organizer and reading that the students had completed for homework. Since I was very new to using the SmartBoard, I practiced writing on the board prior to the lesson, but still found it difficult because you have to apply a certain amount of pressure while writing the letters. You also have to be careful not to place your hand on the board while writing, or it will desyncronize it. Unfortunately, this is what happened during the lesson! I stopped writing on the board and continued on with the lesson. The Principal greatly appreciated my efforts, and was very happy to see that I didn't become flustered because the board did not cooperate. Overall, I received positive feedback for the lesson, and did not feel frustrated. I continued to use the SmartBoard and today I am a much better SmartBoard writer!
 * Here is an example of one of my first challenges with integrating technology into my classroom:


 * Student - As mentioned earlier, I am still a student when it comes to learning about the various ways in which technology can be integrated into my pedagogy. I have attended at least three professional development opportunities (i.e. one SmartBoard training session from a SmartBoard representative at my school), and all of these meetings have helped me learn another aspect of using technology within the classroom. Also, the Literacy Institute has been a major factor in opening my mind to interesting technology and its multiple functions. Throughout the institute, I did not feel overwhelmed by the amount of information that we acquired. Rather, I felt motivated to try new things and start using more technology!