Blog Entry #1

My Name is Carissa Adelsperger. My major is elementary education with a concentration in technology. I am a senior and will be graduating this May.

I student taught in a 3rd grade classroom at Mitchell Elementary School in Muncie last semester. As challenging as some of my kids were, I enjoyed every minute of it. I feel like I should still be there to finish the year with them. Visiting once a week keeps me from missing them too much. I am so thankful to have had this experience at such a wonderful school.

I grew up in Muncie and attended the Yorktown Community Schools. I hope to teach at one of the two elementary schools. First through third grade would be my preference.

Technology has become an essential part of education. Learning becomes more meaningful through the use of technology because students are able to explore what is outside of their classroom. Technology can stimulate students' interests through videos, interactive sites, and hands-on manipulatives far better than textbooks. It allows for collaboration between students in the classroom and is an important factor in fostering the home/school connection. With the technology, the classroom has extended far beyond the school.

Like many of you, I am enrolled in this course because it is a requirement. I chose a technology concentration because technological literacy is such a necessity in today's world. I want to learn how to better incorporate these tools in order to interest my students and better meet their learning needs.

My personal learning goals for this class include developing a better understanding of the policies and ethics surrounding technology in schools, how to identify and use technology resources that affirm diversity, and how to use technology to communicate and collaborate with the larger community in order to nurture student learning.