This week I learned about new software which would be great for use in my classroom. Specifically, I loved finding out about pbworks.com because it provides a portal through which the classroom can be launched on an interactive level. I love the easy use of this technology, and the fact that everybody - including parents - can participate. I feel it is a great way to monitor, evaluate and demonstrate student progress. It is a great way to show pride in both student and teacher work. I also learned about the tikatok.com website which is another great tool to enforce literacy and a fun, creative and interactive way. The use of the podcast system was interesting. I am familiar with it's use at my own school, but only at the fifth grade level, and primarily as a media outlet for broadcast-journalism-type projects. It is interesting to know that a lot of questions need to be asked before implementing a podcast program. I was surprised to find out that the process of establishing such a program requires pretty thorough research on the part of the educator, or whoever is implementing the podcast in the school. A final great tool I learned about was the NETS standards for educators and students. These, I found, are really important to keep up-to-date with. My favorite aspect of the NETS standards, is that they aim to produce 'global citizens' or students are able to grow up to become adults who can actively participate in society, government and more, by being able to navigate technology and to integrate it into their everyday lives. As educators, through NETS we are made aware that using technology in our classroom gives students a portal by which to demonstrate and to expand their knowledge. The NETS standards challenge us to be up-to-date models of the ideal of technology use as a cross-curricular outlet for learning. Therefore, I'd like to make it a personal goal to meet all of these goals in my first two years of teaching. They are numerous, but they all emphasize the importance of using the latest technology to produce the best global citizens possible.
     I would like to put this new knowledge to immediate use by keeping all of these new tools available on my desktop and smartboard at all times, so that I remember to use them fluidly whenever possible in my lessons or during downtime. The main challenges I will face in using this technology is taking the time to establish the pbworks program, I therefore would make a timeline to help me establish it piece-by-piece before the school year starts. By the time the year starts, I should be fluid and comfortable enough implementing it in the classroom.