Perhaps my favorite quote from Coulter's article is when he argues, "The key is for inquiry to drive the technology implementation and not vice versa, despite pressures to integrate technology into the classroom." I find it incredible that in our generation today, we are able to take virtual tours to broaden our students' horizons build on their interest. Using technology in this way is a great way to help our visual learners, who may not understand something simply through reading but through viewing videos or maps on the internet. I know that in my first grade classroom, as soon as I turn on the computer, the children get so excited to see what's in store for them! Because first grade studies community, I see myself using virtual tours in the way where they can see their own community through a site such as Google Map. At the same time, we can pick another community in another part of the world and compare ours with theirs without ever having to actually go there.
As for cell phones, I enjoyed the podcast and found it interesting. However, it is difficult for me to believe that cell phones would be a great use of technology in the classroom. I think everything else has a beautiful way of being implemented into a curriculum. Cell phones, however, I must argue is a stretch. Perhaps it is because I teach a very low-income area, or maybe it is because I am in early childhood. I am open to the idea for older students but if there are other options, I think other tools would be much more useful to use.
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