Educational Technology: Beneficial to Teachers

In a previous post, I wrote about the impact technology in the classroom has on students. I also feel that teachers can benefit from the integration of technology in the classroom. There are numerous websites available for teachers that are making their lives easier. As a student I always wondered how my teachers came up with worksheets, word problems, or writing prompts. I have come across wonderful websites such as www.edhelper.com and www.superkids.com. At these website you can enter specific information such as weekly spelling words or sets of numbers and it will formulate a worksheet. There is also a tool where you can adjust the level as your unit progresses. Not only is there worksheets, puzzles, and activities for younger children, but they also offer SAT test prep and writing prompts for the high school level. There are themes for the holidays and months of the year as well. I think overall these websites would be very useful for teachers, especially those new to the profession!

I also think using Wikis and Blogs are beneficial to the teacher as well. With a Wiki, you can check multiple students' work by simply looking at their groups' wiki. It also makes it easy to see each child's contribution to the group activity. Sometimes when kids work in a group some kids are pulling the weight of others. With a wiki, there is no question who submitted what thoughts. Blogs are also an easy way to track a students thoughts. An individual blog stores their work over a long period of time so you don't have to try to remember what they wrote two weeks ago; a couple of clicks and you're there! If you are taking an entire class approach to blogging, it is also useful to be able to see entries from the entire class on one screen. No more taking folders full of papers home to grade everynight, all you will need is your computer!