ECE technology inventory interview

I was able to interview Ms. Alius who teaches 1^st grade at Meadow Elementary in Lehi, Utah. She described to me the technology that she had in the classroom. Her classroom has two computers in it, which the students take turns on. There is also an overhead projector to use, her own digital camera that she uses for class projects (the school does not provide her with one), and she can get a television and DVD player when she needs one, she just has to check it out from the office. Ms. Alius also has her own personal computer to use at her desk in the classroom.

I asked Ms. Alius what technology she wished that she had in the classroom. She said that it would be very helpful if she had more computers to use. With only two in the classroom, each students has a very limited amount of time on them, which is unfortunate because they can be used for such great benefit in lessons and other areas of the curriculum. She also wishes that she had a Smart Board. This is a program that projects onto the white board and then allows people to interact with it directly on the board, kind of like a touch screen for the white board. She said that this would be every beneficial to have in the classroom.

Ms. Alius admitted that she didn't use technology to prepare for her lessons as much as she should. Because she is in the first year of teaching, her mentors help her come up with a lot of the lessons that she does and prepares. However, she did say that from time to time she will use the internet to search lesson plan ideas, especially on websites that host teachers to upload their lesson plans according to grade and topic, which she says is a great resource.

I asked Ms. Alius what her favorite technology item to use in the classroom is. Her response surprised me. She said that the computers and internet are such as great resource for her students. She says that with these tools, the teacher and students can do all the activities that we learn about in this class. Without computers, the technology options would be greatly reduced. She says that she needs those computers whether it is to have them look up pictures, practice their typing skills, or for other purposes. That is why she would love more computers in the classroom.