Using technology in the classroom can be quite hard

It took me one year to finally feel it was the right moment to write this blog post. Exactly one year ago I was fired from my job. I was teaching Business English when unexpectedly my boss came into the company to announce that I had been promoted. Due to the fact that I was teaching Business English using Technology I was promoted to work in another company teaching with technology. I was kindly invited to pick up all my things and leave the company and wait at home until this new job started ( if it really ever existed) in two months time. This was not the kind of position one can call a promotion!

The truth behind all this story is that I was a threat for this person because I was using technology with my students. Students loved learning with technology using a wiki I created full of interesting and updated information that we discussed in class. This boss kept telling me not to use the computer because students were already exposed too many hours in front of the computer!!! My idea was never to replace her business. As a teacher I was looking for a way to motivate my students and I found it through technology.

As a teacher trainer when I tell participants that I was fired because I used technology everybody at the beginning is shocked and then tells me that this person will regret this the rest of her life. It is hard to innovate and even more if you find resistance from your superiors. Technology will not replace teachers, technology is just another tool we can use in the classroom that is really engaging and motivating for our students.

If you are planning to start using technology, do not feel overwhelmed by the amount of web tools you find online but just focus on which is the best tool for your educational purpose. I am a strong believer that technology has to be integrated using a blended approach that has to meet your students’ needs.

Luckily I was offered a much better job where I am currently coordinating an ICT lab and teaching young learners with technology. My current boss truly believes in me and in what I am implementing and this makes all the difference.

Nowadays using technology in the classroom is the most rewarding experience I have ever had.

Becoming a constant learner

 

It is high time to start showing all the different tools I learn daily. I´ve created an online calendar where I will write a very short description on every new Web 2.0 tool I learn. By the end of the year this will be a very big collection of tools.

If you click on the image below you will be taken to the online calendar.

Have fun exploring!

Cool websites for Interactive Whiteboards

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”

Albert Einstein

Creativity and innovation are key factors that allow teachers to transform and improve. It is not the tool that makes a difference but choosing and using the best tool for your educational purpose. Teachers are scared to innovate using technology but there are really simple ways of motivating your students. Today I would like to share some nice websites you can easily integrate in your classrooms. The biggest advantage is that they are very visual and interactive.

Have fun exploring these new websites and please share the ones you use with your classroom.

EcoZoo is one of the best Pop-up books I´ve seen. The sound is perfect and the images are really engaging.

Kids Interactive Whales allows student to discovery and learn more about whales and dolphins.

Life size whale Have you ever been near a whale? If you haven´t this is an incredible website that transports you to be near a life size whale.

iboard is a superb educational website. I used this well designed website with very young learners the whole year.

Talking calculator allows students to learn Math in a different way.

Save the words is a new website from Oxford University Press that seeks to prevent the extinction of words that are endangered.