Teaching for Understanding-Chap 1 & 2

Chapters 1 and 2 of Teaching for Understanding with Technology was basically a view that all of us facing teaching technology is going to have to deal with. We all understand that we must incorporate technology in our curriculum, the problem now is funding it and educating the teachers how to incorporate the technology as stated in our text " schools are pressed to update their practices and to prepare both teachers and students for the 21st century." (Wiske, et al.2005). I agree with the authors when they discuss the idea of having a clearly defined purpose and goals of technical education in our schools. Parents, advisors, students, and especially teachers perform at the optimal level if everyone knows how, when, and why a product will be implemented.

Once the idea of technology is being incorporated into the curriculum, the next step must be address how and why certain topics are worth studying. I agree also with the idea of having the technology specialists involved in the topics. The TRTs are available to us (teachers) in order to help us define what goals we need to set, select the correct technology, plan ways to incorporate technology into our curriculum, and assisting us in class (Wiske, et al, 2005). We need these people to help us with our journey to the new 21st century curriculum.

I have seen a TRT in action with teachers and she is fantastic with the general ed teachers. It is so nice to have her help the teachers incorportate the smart boards into the classes. We have 7 smart boards mounted in classrooms for use. One per each grade in the elementary school. The TRT has helped the 3-5 grade teachers help bring in software and websites to help with SOL training. Because of NCLB no one really is worried about how to assess technological learning, they are too busy worried about AYP. I think that any technology incorported in the class is a step in the right direction.

Wiske, M.S., Franz, K.S., & Breit, L. (2005). Teaching for Understanding with Technology. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.