Reflections

It’s time to bring the world into the classroom, and bring what we do in the classroom outside into the world! I am extremely thankful for the teaching and technology fellowship that was provided to my co-worker and me through CJP. There is an idea that incorporating more technology into our classrooms and lives provides for greater connection with the world around us. Through the fellowship I have found it more possible to produce projects, gain knowledge, answer questions, and share information more efficiently and creatively.

The use of media, online resources, apps, ipads, etc have enabled new approaches beneficial to the learning of my students, the success of my curriculum, and the productivity of the classroom environment. The new imminent expectations are that using this technology will provide me with the support in the classroom to increase my one on one attention with students while other students continue to be productive in the class. It will enable me to clone myself so that I can be in more places at once. It will excuse the “I forgot my homework at home,” “my dog ate my homework,” “I was sick and didn’t have the assignment” excuses, which push students back in their work and success within the classroom and with the curriculum. In addition, technology will and has provided me with the ability to be creative with the learning that we do. There is such a huge push for experiential education now and using technology provides us with that greater ability to get yourself “outside” of the classroom and into real life situations. It allows students to create projects that can be accessible anywhere, giving them the ability to always find it to use as a future resource, something to share with others, or something to just reflect on.   

These are just a few of the many benefits that come from using reliable and educational technology methods in the classroom. I hope to continue to strengthen my liking of these unique methods and aim for the following goals. I hope to allow my students to recognize that anyone can help someone else get better at something. Connections can develop between students and a wide range of experts in dispersed fields using technology. I want students to recognize that they have more resources accessible to them and more creative opportunities. I want students to feel more confident in their work because they know it is going to be shared. Lastly, I want my students to find passion, purpose and have the desire to learn. By increasing the amount of teaching methods through technology, I believe students will be more successful in engaging and finding connections through the content that they are required and have desire to learn.

Hallie Chandler 

Temple Emunah 

Synagogue Educator