Chapter 5 Supporting Student Creativity

I must start off by saying that the case study in the beginning of this chapter was disturbing; not only did the teacher not support creativity with her students but she was down right mean. I believe that creativity is so important in the classroom. Not only does it allow the students to use their talents, stretch their imagination, and express who they are but it also helps in the learning process. One of the most important parts of this chapter is the section that speaks about the teacher's role. The text says, " Teachers may inadvertenly stifle creativity in the push to complet the assigned curriculum.." It is this practice that we need to be careful that we as teachers do not do, but that rather we support and encourage creativity!

Chapter 4 Supporting Student Critical Thinking

The case study that was given in the beginning of this chaper was very intersting; it gave a good example of how to take the daily questions/happenings of your students and play off of them to expand the students learning and critical thinking. Critical thinking is so important. Growing up in a society where many teachers taught to a test, and gave you a formula to memorize I have come to realize that it is important for teachers to teach students how to think so that they can critical think on their own. I want to see students who think about the subject at hand and are not just looking for "the answer". This chapter had some good resources (i.e. First Step Kidskills,, WebLemur) that will be helpful in a future classroom to use with my students.

Chapter 3 Supporting Student Communication

I believed that this chapter was very relavent to how student's view technology. Most students are currently using technology for communication purposes may it be their social network (i.e. facebook, myspace), text messaging, or email. This chapter gives ideas about how technology can be used in the classroom for communication. I love the idea of using skype and other mediums to communicate with students in other schools and other countries, this opens up so many possibilities! Communication through technology also gives a teacher many more resources when working with special needs students or ELL. I believe this chapter is very helpful because it not only gives ideas of how to use these technologies to enhance your student's learning but it allows the students to learn communication methods that will be used in the their future and in the work place!

Chapter 2 Supporting Student Content Learning

Chapter 2 opened up with a case study about a high-poverty school who was receiving a grant for technology. I enjoyed the case study, as well as the “From the Classroom” sections because it helps to bring the topic to life for me and understand it in context of a classroom. What I enjoyed most about this chapter was the discussion of how to arrange a classroom with the computers that are available. Good ideas were shared about varying classroom styles (a one computer classroom, a multiple computer classroom, and a computer lab). I enjoyed this topic a lot because it made me realize the importance of how computers are arranged and how proper arrangement helps to make the most of technology in the classroom. This chapter was very practical for me.

Chapter 1 Understanding Classroom Learning and Technology Use

Chapter 1 expanded my concept of the importance of technology in the classroom. The chapter was a good summary of what technology is (including charts breaking down the items of hardware, software, and assistive technologies.) I am unfamiliar with assistive technologies so this was a new concept for me. What I found most enjoyable about the chapter was the highlights on how technology can help ELL students. In my community we have a large amount of ELL students and I feel at a lost as to how to help them. I am glad that this book will feature ways in which technology can help ELL students. The text shared a sample lesson plan and then did a lesson analysis and adaptation worksheet. I found this worksheet to be a particular helpful tool that I can use in the future. There were several things that were hard for me to follow in the text but once we had our class discuss I was able to better follow the concept. Technology is a tool that teachers should include in their classroom, it will not replace the teacher but regardless of a learning curve it is an important tool to include.