My first year experience as a teacher was in one of the private schools on Guam. I was exposed to a variety of new technology, including a smartboard, a mounted multimedia projector, and e-books for each classroom. It was a great opportunity to be able to have almost all of the technological advances that is not expected in the first-year of teaching experience available for most teachers.
When I transferred to the public school system in 2010 to one of the newly built schools, I was expecting more resources available for me and my students. However, this was not the case. Despite the fact that I had two computer systems in my classroom, I was not able to use either one of them because neither one was working. I had to use my personal netbook to access the school's grading system and even do the daily text processing tasks and check out a multimedia projector from one of three that were available in the main office every time I needed it.
Being exposed to two different kinds of school arenas, I was more determined to really apply what I learned in my technology class from UOG to my own classroom. If I could make a wishlist, I would have a smartboard, a multimedia projector, and e-books available for my classroom. I do know that there are electronic versions of our textbooks, but we also need codes to access them through the internet. These are basic things that I would change in my classroom. I'm not asking much, am I? I'm just asking enough for the benefits of my students.
This blog will serve as a location for updates, discussion, and other follow-up items from Thomas Petra's Gateway to Technology professional development sessions. Bookmark this site or become a Follower by clicking on the Follow icon or by entering your email address. Please add comments to the different posts or use the comment feature as a way to ask a question after class.
Not to make it any worse for you in the Public Schools.....but IF we ever get laptops for the students or PCs for them, I don't think DOE put money aside for the maintenance part. Just like our printer...NO Ink!!!!
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