Q1. What tools are their favorite tech and web tools to use in the classroom?
Fruit: My favorite tool is Microsoft Internet Explore, and I use it more to get prepared than to actually prepare.
Q2. What are their biggest frustrations with technology in the classroom?
Fruit: It always breaks.
Q3. What is the biggest misconception about using technology in the classroom?
Fruit: People believe that using technology can substitute for good teaching. ie, turn on the machine and let them play with it. Good teaching is good teaching.
Q4. What are the biggest hurdles that you face as an educator using technology in the classroom?
Fruit: Schools are relatively poor that means that they never have (A) the latest technology and/or (B) the best repair facilities. Computer programs are constantly bringing down machines.
Q5. What has been your biggest success with technology integration in the classroom?
Fruit:
I was with the “pioneer” generation. Students were really amazed when I could actually print out progress reports. That’s still one of the best uses of computer.Q6. Who/What has been your biggest inspiration in helping you to use technology in the classroom?
Fruit:
Me, I’ve been my biggest inspiration, I saw the importance of ideas such as saving you lessons on your hard drive when no one else did anything on computer, I had a computer in my classroom.
Q7. Where do you see technology integration heading in the future?
Fruit: Unfortunately, technology has its negative side. I see that in evidence now. In the schools, teachers now do approximately 50% more typing than before. This trend will continue. Teachers will spend more time on the same thing.
I agree with you that there is a gap between 'rich' and 'poor' districts and that the use of technology does not make a good teacher. I am not sure of the definition of a good teacher but I do know what one student thinks is a good teacher another does not. It is up to teachers to find a balance between doing hands on activities, building models, collaboration between students, and using new tools. I can type faster than I can write. However, when taking notes I too prefer paper and pencil. I like to organize myself on paper before I begin on the computer. As a teacher, though it is nice to be able to present with smart board, power point, or with movies that I make myself. I am able to save all of my files on a hard drive and then modify them as needed each year rather than having to recreate them every year. At the very least using a projector and document camera is easier than an overhead. Plus a copy machine is so much better than a mimeograph machine. Chalk and a chalkboard hold no appeal for me and instant digital pictures and video that I can use of the students allows me to share what we are doing with others. I can video tape myself digitally and replay it to evaluate my performance so that I can improve my teaching. Web tools are not the only technology out there. Of course there are places in the world where the teacher is still in a one room school house but in the United States and other advanced countries of the world students expect more from their teachers. They want to be connected to the world through the Internet. If used judiciously and appropriately the use of technology can enhance any classroom. Are you willing to give up Internet access, your cell phone, your face book, or your email accounts?
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