Introduction

I am on the fifth day of the Secondary MAC program at the University of Michigan and find it hard to believe just how different my life is going to be at this time next year. I'm beginning to feel a little bit more settled as I've purchased a binder, dividers, and a three hole punch and stayed up til 2 a.m. getting organized. It can be a bit daunting when you are taking five classes in 6 weeks and your schedule changes every week er, I mean day. But good 'ole Ulrichs is prepared and so I went in and stocked up. I'm not ashamed to say that I purchased several Michigan paraphernalia-D notebooks to go along with my 3-ringer. Hey, you're only a Michigan Grad student once.

Anyway -- the purpose of this blog is to record what I am learning in my educational technology course and to become even more tech-savvy in preparation for my future career as a teacher. After reading Synching up with the iKid, Blog On, and Audience and Community, I was struck by the widening gap that exists between my own K-12 education and that of the students I will be teaching. I mean, when I was in 7th grade, I can recall maybe one research project that we did using the internet in school. But as the world is changing, so, obviously, is the classroom.

According to Josh McHugh, author of Synching Up with the iKid, whether we like it or not, our students are of a completely digital generation. They aren't nearly as impressed by books as they used to be because there is so much more available to them and the truth is there are just quicker ways to acquire information now. On a personal level, this strikes me as unfortunate. But in all reality, who am I to say that we shouldn't expose our students to the very gadgets and communication devices that they are getting their hands on anyway? My Space and The Facebook aside, there are plenty of positive ways that teachers can use technology in the classroom. When I saw mention of SAT test-preparation courses downloadable onto digital audio players I thought to myself "That sounds very practical and helpful, and I think kids might actually listen to it!" I certainly remember my own SAT prep-course and actually wish I could block it out of my memory: it was that boring!

But what about the districts that simply cannot afford these extra gadgets? What about the districts that are unable to supply their students with adequate textbooks and lab equipment, let alone smart boards? Or what is the point of keeping a classroom blog or using software such as Moodle if kids don't have computer access at home??

I imagine this class will spend time examining each one of these issues and I'm certainly looking forward in learning about both sides of the argument. With a cohort of 55 students, hailing from various educational, familial, religious, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, I'm sure that everyone is coming in with strong views about the pros and cons of technology, specifically with regards to its use in the classroom setting. So speak up friends - we have a lot to learn from each other!