Technology in Education is Important (January 31)

Technology in education is important, because with all the advances being made, it is impossible to survive without it.  Everything revolves around technology and electricity.  Teachnology in schools has become vital, and something that we as teachers will need in the classroom. We need it for the grading system, we need it for planning, and we are encouraged to use it in plenty of aspects of our actual lessons and invite the students to use it as well. If we are not somewhat familiar with how to operate a handy little gadget, or the newest machine, it could slow down our teaching in the classroom.  It is also important to teach technology in the classroom, due to the fact that it is our job as teachers to prepare our students for the real world ...and yes, you guessed it: the real world is made up of.....TECHNOLOGY!!!!  :)  My experiences in teaching technology in education are slim to none. I am very challenged in this area, which is why this class will be good for me!  Basically the only experience I have with technology is browsing the internet and using Microsoft Word to write papers for school. I also have made powerpoints and have run powerpoint for church.  I suppose this places me in the category of "average" when it comes to competence/experience with technology.  I realize that this world is always changing, and at a fast pace. Sometimes I get stressed when thinking about how behind I am with the newest little gadgets or computers that are out on the market.  I am going to try and be more intentional in surrounding myself around people who are knowledgeable in this area and who posess plenty of the newest items, so that I may learn from them.  I was also told by my teacher I am interning with that is more important to invest money (from the school budget) in buying nice soound equipment for the classroom, rather than wasting it on music; and that is just the thing, he believes buying music is a waster of money. (Keep in mind I am majoring in music education, so I plan on teaching high school choir eventually.)  The reason he believes this is so important is, he expressed that you can always borrow music from different sources, or that music is always free in someway or another, you just have to know how and where to get your hands on it.  Just the fact that he placed so much importance on technology, made me understand there must be some real truth to it, because he is very experienced and knowledgeable in what he does, and one of the most competitive choir teachers out there. I will continue to strive on incorporating the importance and relevance of technology into all my classes and practice using it in certain ways that will prepare me for my career.