My Technology Philosophy

I strongly feel that not only can technology be seamlessly integrated into the English classroom, but that it can boost the effectiveness of the teacher's instruction greatly. This is not to say that incorporating technology is easy, quite the contrary, but like all things, with a little practice, it will become second nature. From Web Quests, to blogging, to Digital Stories, the opportunities are endless. Plus, technology does not have to always be the star of the show. It could be something so simple as to show a movie clip after reading a novel, or playing an audio tape of a poet reading his or her work. While this may not be as flashy as some other forms of technology, it is still an effective way to boost students' comprehension of a work.

The most important thing to remember is that a teacher should find technology that compliments the rest of the lesson and that they are excited to use. If the teacher is not motivated, then odds are, the students will not be either. The teacher must also know how to use and direct students in the use of the technology. Lastly, the teacher must be able to be flexible and be patient, because at the beginning, set backs are likely to occur and if the instructor is not willing to make adjustments as needed, the lesson will turn into a stressful and counterproductive experience for the students.