Stanley Smith's Education Technology Philosophy

Stanley Smith’s Education Technology Philosophy Shock and disbelief hit me square in the face the day I walked into the book room to assist in making a proper diagnosis of a vehicle that would not return from turning to return to the straight ahead position. The shop foreman looked at me and had a sly grin on his face. “Sorry son” were his words “the books are all gone.” “Everything is now on the computer and you are going to have to look it up there.” That was my introduction to the computer, and it was not what I call a proper introduction. As I made my way through the computer I found it was easier to navigate, easier to find information and the truth is it opened up a complete new world for me. As I open the doorway to the next stage of my life I will find students who have a good knowledge of technology. At least they will be more advanced than I was at the time of my introduction. Together we will learn new methods of research, new study aids, how to create a job resume probably even an ePortfolio. The class and I will learn together as we climb the ladder of knowledge. I think an excellent way to engage students in the classroom is to create a real world connection able to utilize technology. I have often read and heard that if students do not believe they will use the classroom material in their future they have little or no use for the information and will consider it useless, pointless and not worth their time. As we all know today’s students are using technology almost constantly. As teachers we must keep up to date with technology in order to communicate with the students. Doing so will enable us, or me in my case; allow me to build a classroom that is meaningful and productive to the students. What I am saying is one should strive to create a meaningful classroom environment for the students where they feel welcome, comfortable and know they are going to learn new things. Of course I will be learning as well as I practice the old saying I heard while in the U.S. Army “we learn by teaching” and it is so very true. A very important aspect of teaching is the classroom has to be well managed. The teacher must be able to control the environment at all times. The teacher must have the student’s respect no matter how you get it, but you must prove you deserve that respect. Along with that the instructor must have class procedures, or rules, and stick to them. At the same time the student should feel comfortable and welcome to participate with the entire class and certainly the instructor. Trust must be there between students and instructor for successful communication. I plan on teaching the lower grades and part of my purpose will be to insure the students are not afraid to learn. Personally I believe the best means to learn is hands-on. Next is, learn from mistakes and do not let a mistake bother you. Think like Thomas Edison “I did not make a mistake I just found another way it did not work.” I sure want to teach everyone I come in contact with to be lifelong learners. Above all and everything else I want my students to learn how to read and use words. There is so much to learn and so little time it is important to make use of all technology available to student learning. Students will at all times be encouraged to seek new information to add on to what they already know by any and all means available. I want them to be aware of the fact that technology is a tool to use to learn and do things with and not something they cannot do without. Just as important is I must learn new skills in order to teach, that is one of the reasons I am still in college. I do plan on learning forever and ever. The world we live in is a very exciting place full of surprises and one sure way to travel is by way of the internet. Part of what I learned the past week or so I think I will reference and use as a guideline and that is this. 1. In order to teach I must increase my own knowledge of technology and attempt to keep up with the new innovations as they come along. 2. I will integrate technology into my classroom so that I may provide my students with the best education I am able to supply. 3. I will add to this list as I discover new ideas and new information.