Using Technology in Class

Using Technology in Class

            I am a pre-k teacher.  I work with three and four year olds. You may think using technology in a pre-k classroom is limited, and in some cases it might be.  But the options are abundant, they just may take some adjustments at times.  There are endless amounts of free pre-k games available on the internet.  These games can help students develop their fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, help them learn their ABC’s and numbers.  They also have games that help young students learn the high frequency words which helps develop their reading skills.  There are basic math games and science games available as well.  I already have a couple of favorite websites, but I am always on the lookout for more. 

            The internet also helps me as a teacher resource tool. First off, there is the use of email.  Parents can reach me and circumvent the office.  They can tell me something quick or write a lengthy email discussing a problem.  They do not have to wait for a conference time or for me to be available.  I can check it at my convenience and they can at theirs as well.   There are endless websites that are available that help a teacher come up with lessons and activities. Some of them are free while others have a fee to join them.  They can help with making homemade worksheets that can tie into personalized teaching.  Or you can print off already made worksheets.  Some websites are full of other teachers lessons plans that they are willing to share with other educators. For example I accessed this already prepared power point from another teacher's website.

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 Authors of childrens books usually have a website as well.  They can have games that coordinate with a book or series.  Or they can have activities and worksheets that help develop the students skills and tie into the story as well. 

            I also love having and Iphone in class.  I use this more than I ever imagined.  Just today, I used it to film a student who we believe might have tics connected with Turretts syndrome.  I had to prepare nothing.  I just kept my phone by me and as soon as he started, I immediately grabbed it and filmed his behavior and what was happening all around him at the time.  I did this several times and had the video to my principal within five minutes.  And she immediately scheduled an observation time.  Having the video to show her made a much greater impact then just my words alone. The beginning process of evaluating this student and getting him help happened faster then I could have ever imagined thanks to my phone.  I also use my phone to take pictures of the students work or activities they did during the day.  Things that cannot be taken home, things that a parent, especially a working parent rarely gets to see.  I take a quick picture and boom email right to my parents in all of 15 seconds.  The parent response is awesome.  They love it, they feel so connected to their kids school experience where they might have otherwise felt a disconnect.  I can also check my email several times a day without leaving the activity and sitting at the computer.  I can stay right with the students involved in conversation or working with them and check my email, send of quick responses and not miss a moment of class time with them.