Tech 101

Are any of you out there familiar with the National Education Technology Standards (NETS)?
http://www.iste.org/standards.aspx
After reading about these, I feel like the staff at my school, myself included, could use some help!  The standards talk about how important it is to use several digital media tools to provide and engage student learninig, but I am not sure if my classroom is equipped with enough media tools!  I am doing what I can, below are some of the following things that my classroom has to offer:

• SmartBoard projector system and software
• Classroom WebPage
• Online grades/parent portal program
• Two out-of-date student computers
• An anceint listening center (yeah, ya know, the kind with cassette tape and giant headphones!)

Those of you who are reading, how do your classrooms compare?  Unfortunately there is just not enough money in the budget to outfit classrooms with more, such as: laptops, student software, digitial listening centers, Elmos, etc.  That is the biggest barrier we as teachers face, but also, lack of training.  Once the end of the school year, last year, each of our classrooms were equipped with SmartBoards, but a huge percentage of teachers did not even know how to turn it on!  In the fall, we were provided with a quick training of the basics, but it would have been great to have a more thorough, in-depth training program with professionals.  Right now, I am using the trial-and-error, play around and figure it out method!

I think it is important for us as teachers, to NOT be afraid of technology.  There is always going to be something new, and it is coming our way whether we like it or not.  Let's face it, students are considered 21st century learners for a reason, they simply do not learn the same as students have in the past.  We have to meet and match their tech-savy ways and turn it into a learning style.  Kids these days are so in-tune with their IPODS, video games, social networking sites, cell phones, etc. that paper, pencils, and books just don't excite!

This teacher is currently in the program of a Master's Degree, and is about to embark on a technology class.  I hope to dive into a pool of ideas; I want to learn about new hardware, software, and web based tools that can be used at home or in my classroom.  I look forward to finding new ways to enhance my lessons, spark student learning, and finding a tech-savy way to speak to my students!  I want tangible, realistic things that can be used in any classroom.  Now, let the teacher be taught!