Week3

Hello fellow bloggers,

Today I tried out the website Quizlet. I am obsessed! I wish more classrooms in Israel had hands-on access to computers so this could be used. Flashcards are a great way for students to learn new vocabulary and practice what they already know. However they are a lot of work to create for the teacher! This website is quick and easy to use and the students can even spend time creating their own flashcards. My concern with this type of website though is that there is no way to use it other than being connected to the internet (that I could see) and it is therefore only a tool a teacher could use when in the computer room with all students in front of a computer or as a whole class activity through a smart board or projector. An idea could be to use this website as a homework tool. If the class had a blog forum then each student could create their own flashcards and share it on the forum for their classmates to practice.

While reading my blogs this morning I found it interesting that 2 out of the 3 both had posts about the advantages / disadvantages of online learning and technology. There are many valid points that fall into both categories and I can see the argument from both sides. What I do struggle with though is how to integrate and incorporate the positives into the classroom practically here in Israel. The schools and classrooms that I have been exposed to in my student teaching so far do not really allow the use of technology in the classroom. The teacher is lucky if they have a projector in the classroom, let alone an internet connection!

I feel like the education world is moving and advancing more and more in its use of technology and my fear is that the Israeli education system is not keeping up. There is so much out there and this course is opening my eyes even further to all the ways that technology can be used. I just hope that when I get into the classroom I will have the tools to enable me to share this new world with the students!

I didn't learn any innovative ideas from my blogs this week...hopefully next week!

Have a good one! :)