Experimenting with Technologies

This chapter was interesting because it talked about different programs available, how to use them, and what kind of students they will affect or help. There were a lot of programs that I had never heard of and I found them to be very interesting. I liked that it talked about using these programs in different subjects. I think that this helps teachers to know that first there are a lot of programs that offer different activities for a subject and second that programs can be used for all subjects.

The program that interested me the most was the simulation program. I think that this technology is intriguing because it can let you do things that you wouldn’t necessarily get to do, even if it is only simulated. I remember in high school doing a dissection through a simulation. It was different because we got to do it on different animals and we still got to see the main idea. I think that these programs are good alternatives for schools that might not be able to afford some activities, like dissection. By using these simulations students are still able to have that learning experience. I also remember playing the computer game, SIMS. It never occurred to me until a saw it in this chapter, that this was a simulation as well.

This chapter definitely changed the way I view technology in teaching. I never knew there were so many technologies out there that can assist students in learning. These programs are a good way to supplement a lesson. It also helps to make a connection with students. Since these students are very connected to technology, they will be able to use the kind of programs in this chapter to help them understand and practice a lesson taught to them in class.