My Lifeline…My Cell Phone!

            I grew up without cellular technology and don’t recall having any major problems except being stuck on a highway in India with car problems and having to wait for hours before we got help! On the positive side, I recall being extremely focused on my professors when in class, not being monitored by my parents all the time, or feeling disconnected from friends and family as we ended up visiting more often so then why am I so lost without it today?

            I have asked myself this question many times and wonder if life was better with or without it! I always arrive at the same answer, “I cannot function without my cell phone and for me life is challenging without it!” Yes I am addicted to my cell phone and am not afraid to admit it! It is my lifeline and daily functioning would become problematical without it. I rely on it to keep in touch with family and friends by talking or texting to them.  It is my PDA without actually hiring an assistant, and my reliable server for information and guidance. I can’t imagine not having all of these facilities and conveniences at the touch of a button!

Cellular technology has made life so much easier and at the same time safer. I am not afraid to travel by car long distances on my own as help is at my fingertips if I have car problems and my phone is equipped with GPS too! This has given me a sense of freedom and adventure as on my next winter break I plan on flying out to Georgia, rent a car and visit several of my relatives who reside in different parts of the state. Not sure if I would have had the courage to travel this way if I did not have my cell phone!

Cell phones have brought about a sense of freedom, safety, and convenience all packaged in a small handheld device that I cannot imagine living without! Sorry, like I said I am addicted to it!

My Philosophy...Integrating Technolgy in the Classroom

    I believe that it is important for teachers to integrate technology in their classrooms to engage and motivate today's digital native learners. These students have grown up in the digital age and have never known a world without the technological devices. Therefore, it is important for teachers to plug into teaching strategies that take advantage of the digital world to enhance the learning experience of the students in a classroom and prepare them to make the most of it. 

      Technological tools and interactive learning can help bring a class to life. I believe that these days number of students feel that the schools are disconnected from their fast-paced, highly interactive social environment where they play an active role in content development. Incorporating technology into the classroom will help them feel connected to the school and their learning, and will also let learners lead their own education. Using technology in the class will maximize student engagement and make learning more relevant to their lives. It is important for teachers to keep an open mind about harnessing technology and integrating it with the essential curriculum to maximize the potential learning of students.

     I believe that as teachers we have to equip our students with 21st-century skills as they will now be globally competing for a job. In order for our students to succeed in this globalized and fast changing technological world, they must be taught critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaborative, creativity, and innovative skills. Therefore, it is imperative that as teachers we must incorporate technology in our teaching so the students are comfortable using it and develop 21st-century skills.

    

    

About Me....

     I am a praraprofessional for the emotionally challenged students and have been working in this position for three years now in a large school district. Previous to my current position, I was a general education para mainly for the learning disabled student population for 12 years. I truly enjoy working with the students and find it very rewarding. This job also was convenient as it allowed me to meet the needs of my family. However, as time went on and my son grew up, I had this desire to increase my knowledge and improve my skills, and do something for myself. I enrolled in the Masters program in General Education K-8 and Special Education certification at a local university to educate myself further. This is totally different from my undergrad degree in Business Administration majoring in Accounting and Finance from Bombay University in India. 

     At this point I am not sure if I will teach, but I know that I am enjoying learning! However, my current course may cause me major anxiety as it is technology related and I am not a digital native! I do not consider myself  totally inept in this area, but feel that there is so much to learn that I might be overwhelmed. Also, I feel that by the time I learn using the current technology it will change on me and I will be starting all over again! Lets see maybe down the road I might feel differently...I hope so and have my fingers crossed! Please join me on this quest as I surely could use your support and help to learn ways to integrate today's technology in teaching students in a class to maximize their learning.