Assessment Item 1

My personal approach to using digital technology in the classroom for learning is; use what you can use well, let students give some input, keep on learning. As a teacher of practical subjects there will be some obvious choices with others less so. I will be using digital technologies within the Design and Technology classroom as a matter of necessity, such as Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD) software, while in the Food Technology classroom I will need to include technologies that enhance the classroom experience for all learners with more creativity to avoid tokenistic inclusion or basic uses that students have already experienced and are likely to be bored by.  My own experience with digital technology extends to word processing and presentation software as well as several CAD programs. While I have had much more experience with word-processing and presentation software, I am eager to better develop my skills with a range of digital technologies to enhance students’ experiences within my classroom. This is what is meant by use what you can use well, if the teacher is able to use the technology well the students’ experience will be enhanced by the technology used; if the teacher is not proficient in the program it is inevitable that a student will notice and try their best to take advantage of the situation. That being said, it is still important to try and use technologies that students find interesting. Letting students have some input will allow the teacher to better tailor lessons to suit their learning styles and interests gives students a sense of ownership and importance in the classroom. Finally, keep on learning; there are always new and innovative programs and applications emerging that can have the potential to bring new life to old lessons or even change the way subjects are delivered. I’m hoping to learn more about these digital technologies throughout this subject and develop new or improved ways to deliver my lessons.