Reflection #2: Google Everything

So cool to know how to do these new things. I am stoked to know how to work on a Google Doc and like the idea of a calendar. I'll admit right off to being a little skeptical about the real life benefits of all of this on my classroom. The calendar for one seems like a lot of busy work (though I have already gotten a text from it which helped me remember an assignment). I don't mean busy work, I mean it's a great idea but I wonder how often teacher websites and calendars are checked by students and parents. It seems like it was hard enough to get them to read the fliers and reminders and calendars that went home every week. Maybe though, as parents jump onto the computer to check email, bank accounts, etc. the class calendar and website will be on the list and will be easier than digging through a backpack. Not meaning to be a negative all...just wondering. I do see this technology being of most use within a school to work with team teachers and the administration. Having a calendar to which all of the staff in the school has access could make life really easy. I also see working on lesson plans and collaborative work with the Google Documents as coming in really handy!

While I see the benefits of technology, I also wonder if some people use technology just for technolgy sake and don't actually take full advantage of what is available. The Mr. Duey Fractions clip seemed pretty cheesy. I can see using technology to get on the students' level and even using their music style but wow! There was a lot of the chorus and only a little of the actual instruction...I think it was the right idea though. The other video was only text so it seems like a lot of work for very little difference. I just see people, and anticipate and want to squash the tendency in myself, to think that all things technology are better than all things not. There are amazing opportunities that technology offer and the there is just trying too hard...