Internship+I+Technology+Operations+and+Concepts

**TF I Technology operations and concepts**
Feb 10, 2010**
 * TF I.B Demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.

I had the opportunity to attend the [|TCEA convention] this year. My principal attended with me, but due to illness, had to leave. I then joined the district's former Technology Director and the current Technology Coach. I followed them around, soaking in all the information I could as I learned about the programs we use in the district and programs we would soon use. Because of our discussions about needs and uses, the Technology Coach later brought me a webcam and an Interwrite pad. I use both new devices in my classroom and have trained other colleagues to use new technologies.

I atteneded seminars regarding technology integration. One seminar specifically dealt with middle school students. In the beginning of the seminar, the presenter said she felt a little embarrassed to show off the products her students create because of all the great things she was learning at TCEA. She felt her work was outdated. Her job was to help the teachers integrate their curriculum. Teachers would sign up for her lab and create projects to enhance their studies, like a newsletter or book report in the form of a book. I didn't realize that some school utilize technology this way, going to the lab for a core content-related project. Attending seminars like this one gave me ideas for classroom teachers at my school and for my own classroom.

My favorite site learned at TCEA was [|www.vocaroo.com] We used this site to create audiocasts of musicians the students reseached. Vocaroo provides a link to the recording, but it is not editable. Not being able to edit, meant that we re-recorded in some instances, or in other instances, that errors were included in the finished product. Several of the students logged on at home and sent messages like "Happy Birthday" to relatives who live far away.

This experience at TCEA enlightened me to procedures, thoughts and practices of the 21C classroom. I have been able to better evaluate resources that I come across and stay aware of best practices. The greatest challenge for me is to make the time to learn some of the new tools.