Technology Actually in the Classroom!

A few weeks ago, I had a very encouraging experience at an elementary school. I was introduced to the school computer lab teacher. She explained to me all the wonderful technology that school had incorporated into the classroom. First, this school has either a smart board or an active board in almost every elementary classroom! As of this year, every classroom has also received two new Mac computers. All the computers in the computer lab are new Macs. Yes, this is an example of a school that is actively keeping up with technology skills. After the computer teacher told me about the new computers, smart boards, and active boards, I noticed an iPod touch on her desk. I asked her if she was trying to use iPod touches in the classroom. I was so excited to hear that the newest technology the school was trying to incorporate into the classroom was the iPod touch. Though the plan is still in early stages, the idea is that every classroom will have a iPod touch. The teachers will have to be trained on how to use them in their classroom. The iPod touche offers interactive games that the students can play. Somehow, the iPod touch can be used along side with the classroom computers and the smart boards. This was the first time I had ever heard of a school investing their time and money into cutting edge technology. As a future teacher, I believe this is important to know, because I do not know which school I will be teaching at. I may be apart of a school that requires teachers to understand how to incorporate a computer, smart board, and iPod touch into the classroom. I need to be open to new ideas using technology, and I need to be willing to learn how to use the technology. The desire for technology in this school was refreshing to me. Schools like that make me appreciate my tech 486 class, because I will be able to apply my technology skills gained into my elementary classroom.