My 21st Century Classroom

Hello, my name is Brittany Becker.  I am currently a student at Edinboro University.  One day I will become an Early Childhood/ Special Education teacher. I cannot wait to help my future students the way several of my teachers have helped me.  I will make a difference. This page is a project for my Secondary Education class.  This is my final project! Feedback is encouraged!

In this video, I explain just what made me want to become a teacher.  In the above paragraph, I seemed like I have quite a bit of confidence, however that was not always the case. Take a look at the video to learn more. :]

I plan to continue my education.  I would love to obtain a masters in teaching.  However, I want to get into the classroom and gain some experience prior to that.  When I get into the classroom, I am going to be the teacher that makes a difference. My students will be able to count on me for their education and to help them succeed in anyway possible.  I want to be that teacher that helps not only all my students, but students who are like I once was.  I have high expectations for my future students but nothing that will be an unattainable goal.

My DREAM classroom! 

Introductions 
I believe that every up and coming teacher has an idea of what their dream classroom is.  However, my dream classroom is one where I have students that I am able to influence in the most positive of ways. For this particular assignment ,the school that I am teaching in is in the inner city of Erie.  The school is Grover Cleveland Elementary School. This school offers the grade Kindergarten through eighth grade. The grade that I would be teaching will be Kindergarten.I have looked up the demographics for this school and to follow is the information. The percent of boys in the school is 49% and the girls are 51%.  The student to teacher ratio 14:1. The students of this school are of many different races; 1% are Asian, 5% are Hispanic, 13% are Black, 77% are White and 4% are Other.  Most students in my class are not at the kindergarten level of learning.  A large percentage of my class have not even attended preschool.  There are a couple of special needs students in my classroom. I have a student that is dyslexic in my classroom.  I have special assignments that help this student succeed as well to help them overcome their disability.  I have two students that have a behavior disability and are unable to pay attention for a long period of time, as well as sit still for a long period of time. There is also a student in my classroom that is in a wheelchair.  This student was born without any arms or legs. Regardless of any disability, I have taught my students that a disability is but mere ability with a twist.  Every student in my classroom treats everyone as equals and by the end of the year will be a classroom full of ready and prepared students for the first grade!

Setting
Below is a picture of my classroom.  This classroom is the future of school with all of the technology that has come out.  As all classrooms in Kindergarten have a come together rug, so does mine.  In front of the rug is a TV projection screen.  This screen will be used to organize classroom activities in my classroom as well as games that involve reading, mathematics, music, and even physical activity.  To the right of the TV projection screen are multiple iPad carts.  The i Pads will be used by the students to complete assignments.  The i Pads will be used so that the students will be able to send assignments to my computer.  You are probably thinking, "But these are KINDERGARTNERS " Believe it or not, I think younger children are better with these types of electronics than even myself.  With the way technology is advancing, I'm sure even paper assignments with no longer be available to use.  By teaching my students to use this technology while they are young, it will save many headaches for them when they get older and into higher grades.  Although, I will be getting rid of paper work in the classroom, I will not be getting rid of traditional kindergarten practices, such as reading books, water and sand table, and even a dramatic play area.  All of these areas of the classroom help the students learn many things that cannot be taught.

Integrations

Technology in schools is on the rise. As teachers, this is something we need to take in consideration and keep ahead of the game.  In order for us as teachers to be ahead of the game we need treat keeping up with technology as our job. A type of technology that would be able to connect students and teachers inside the classroom would be something like email or a messenger.  A great email source!!  With the students having their own iPad in the classroom, they would be able to contact the teacher while at the desk.  The type of messenger that I would suggest would be one that is directly monitored and connected to the school.  A type of technology that supports publishing student and teacher work would be a source such as LiveText.  LiveText does cost money.  However there could be an online portfolio of each student.  However, in the future I feel as if there will be things like this that will be free of charge and at just an arms reach.  If something like this does not come about, there is always Google Docs. With the students having a gmail account for the classroom, they will be able to save their documents on that.  There are a couple types of technology that can connect students and teachers outside of the classroom. The first is obviously email.  This again, will use their gmail account that they make for the classroom.  The second would be Skype.  It is free to sign up and could be used to call the teacher while they are not in the classroom. There is also a video call option which would come in handy with an assignment question.  In my opinion, a teacher should be available to the student when needed. There is one type of technology that will both connect the classroom with experts around the world and allows collaboration with others to create and share knowledge.  The source that I would use with my students would be Blogger. I believe that blogger is a great way to get your opinion and views out there as well as receive others view and opinions as well.  All in all, these students are our future as is technology.  I want my future directly connected to each other therefore to give the best outcome as possible.

Assisted Technology 
As stated above there is a student that is in my classroom that is in a wheelchair and does not have any arms or legs.  As expected, this student is unable to do many things that are required in the classroom. However, that would be the case without technology.  This particular student has a special device in which she speaks into a microphone and it completes her assignments. This is a very effective device and boy does it make me thankful for technology.

Bare with me. I am not an artist. 















Feedback!! 



Annotated Bibliography!

Erie School District. http://eriesd.schoolwires.net//site/Default.aspx?PageID=19.

Planner, Floor. http://www.floorplanner.com/projects/24638329-school/edit#~. n.d.

Reviews, Public School. http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/69196. n.d.

Self Reflection!
Throughout this semester, I have been asked to take many risks.  This blog was one risk that I took.  In the beginning I was not too enthusiastic to have to write and respond to blogs.  After the third time doing so, I decided I loved it.  Writing this blog was a very enriching experience for me.  Another risk that I took was using a Mac book.  I will admit, I'm a Mac hater.  I didn't like them before I used them and I don't like them now that I have used it.  Although I don't like using them, I now know how to use them if need be.  I gained a lot of experience through this class.  I know how to use lots of things that I never knew how to use before. I gained the knowledge I believe a teacher coming out into the field should have.  I have grown to look at things with an open mind.  Like the old saying goes, don't judge a book by it's cover.