I'll try again

I've been thinking about technology this week since class. When I was in college I had to take a technology course. We learned about using a digital camera, creating a web page, and using educational software. (Am I dating myself a little?!? All of this stuff was brand new!) I enjoyed it and looked forward to using it the classroom. Unfortunately, when I got my first job there was a computer lab, but that's about it. My following two jobs had no lab and no other technology available other than a teacher computer. My growth in technology usage basically stopped.

I am excited to have that learning start again! In fact, this week I have been learning how to use the SPSS program. I realize that this isn't to work with in the classroom, but WOW what a great tool to analyze data. It has just made me realize that there are many tools that I need to learn more about to make my life easier!

I also told my husband about wordle. He does presentations fairly regularly in his position at work and I thought it may make an interesting visual for the people that he is sharing information with. I am not sure if he used it yet, but it at least intrigued him.

I am hoping that in this course we will examine computer software to use with young learners as well. I am curious to learn about pre-reading programs that can be used effectively with young learners. Primarily I am interested in how to determine good programs from programs that are not so good.

First class is in the books....