Elementary School Technology

Today in class, we went over to Edith Bowen Laboratory School, where we talked with a teacher there who does an excellent job of incorporating technology into the classroom. He talked to us about the different types of technology that he uses, such as ipods where students can listen to books, different programs on the computer such as spelling and math, and programs for whole class instruction such as Celestia. I was impressed with everything that he had to say. However, I wasn't REALLY impressed until I was partnered up with one of the third grade students in the class. This little boy blew me away with his knowledge of technology at such a young age. As he logged on to the computer, he quickly moved from website to website, logging in and using different functions within the programs like it wasn't anything extraordinary at all. We then made our way over to the iPods, where he was easily getting into different books or Bill Nye the Science guy videos. It was so simple to him, and in those few minutes that I was there, I was able to see how he could access so m any helpful programs. It was truly an eye opening experience!