Latest Thought on Technology

Interestingly enough after eight weeks of technology class. I must admit that the class that I had so feared has proved to be a great learning experience, thus far. I have literally gone from saying I can't do this project to not only doing the project, but being able to use it.
Since our center is going through reaccreditation, the brochure that I created was used to educate our families about our program. My supervisor liked it so much that she wanted to show it to some of our other centers so that they might want to create something similar when they go through this process.
This week, I have held family survey meeetings and many of the parents already knew a great deal about our program. It is very evident that they read over the brochure ahead of time. On the inside I enclosed the invitation to the meeting. Overall, I would not have had the turn out without the brochure.
Technology has enhanced my ability to communicate with my families. During this lengthy process, good communication is the key to success.

Reasons why technology is important in the classroom

There is evidence that supports that technology can help provide for developing concrete concepts, for example by visually representing abstract concepts at a faster rate, or by providing scaffolding to build upon cognitive development. Many software programs provide students with the information to use problem solving skills that will help them carry out tasks that will in essence create logical thinking naturally.
Technology, can also prepare students for what lies ahead in the future. I know from a personal standpoint that not having the computer skills that younger cohort students have acquired, has greatly affected my level of proficiency. It takes me so much longer to perform computer related tasks. Although, I am developing better computer skills out of sheer neccessity.
As students become confident with technology, the article indicated that students self-esteem is also higher. In our preschool setting, I have observed the children who are already confident in their ability to maneuver through a computer game.
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/reasons.html#future

Jan's News

Hi,
My name is Jan Gilles. I am 50 years old, and for some crazy reason I decided to return to college to get my teaching license. This is my second year attending The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. For the last seventeen years I have worked as an early childhood teacher and also for the past 12 years as the Site Coordinator of the preschool.
My husband John and I are empty- nesters. Our children are both grown and married. Our daughter Angela and her husband Aaron live in Los Angeles California. They have a Teddy Bear puppy named Coconut, who has brought a great deal of joy to our family. Our son Ryan and his wife Katie live in Boise Idaho.
When I am not working full time and attending full time classes my husband and I love to travel. Some of our more recent travel of course has been to California and Idaho. This past Spring our entire family (including Coconut) spent a week together in Jackson Hole Wyoming. We spent a lot of time hiking in the Grand Tetons it was by far some of the most spectacular landscapes I have ever witnessed.
As far as computers go I like to refer to myself as somewhat technically challenged. I know enough to get by. My hope is that after I complete my technology class that I will be a little more computer savy for the the future.