My experiences with education in the classroom

I think that I must be of the last generation of students to not receive formal computer education in the elementary grades. When I was young my exposure to the computer was limited to that computer that sits in the back of the classroom, but is never turned on. Since my own elementary years though, I have witnessed an increase in the use of education in the classroom. For example, I worked as a para in a kindergarten classroom. In that classroom there were four computers with specific learning software, that was part of their work stations exercise. The students did nothing on the actual web. At this moment, my experience with tech in the classroom is limited to a computer screen on an LCD projector, and a system of grading and attendance that is done electronically.
The other way in which I have experienced technology in the field of education is through in-service meetings. This year, a man named Alan November came to a meeting and spoke about the online word document Google Docs, which actually works just the same as a wiki. Epals which is a place where teachers can collaborate with other teachers around the world on lessons and ideas. Students in entire classrooms can even chat through epals. Screencast is a place where teachers and students can post their own videos, podcasts, and power point presentations. And Skype, which is an online phone system. Teachers can use it to telephone anyone around the world to talk, through the computer, to the class. I think that you would have to add some sort of microphone to your computer. You'll notice that I am very vague about these things, and that is because I have not actually had my own personal experience with them. I have only seen them presented in an auditorium.
So how does all of the affect how I think about the changes technology is making in the classroom? Well, on a mere psychological level, I think that getting students involved with technology makes them feel sophisticated. Imagine the joy of having the responsibility of creating something with a very valuable piece of equipment. I think technology makes students feel more privileged in the classroom, and probably more engaged.
I also think that technology makes the classroom more fun. Who wants to stare at a black board all day, and write on plain white paper when we can look at everything in bright, flashy, come to life images on a computer? Technology is also exposing students to the big world outside of their classroom. A student who may never step foot in India can suddenly chat with an Indian classroom. This is a great way of building tolerance and acceptance of different cultures, and that right there has the potential to change the world.
For teachers, technology is changing everything they do. They have to learn how to use Internet based grading systems that allow students and parents to see grades and comments at all times. This will definitely make teachers be more accountable for what they do.
In all, technology is changing how much students and teachers are all on display. Things such as wiki make everybody's work visual, in the way that sharing emails with students in India does. But this does not have to threatening to the authors. Instead, technology can be used to reflect on and advance the ideas of students and teachers.