Blog Journal 6

On the website for the Roy J. Wasson Academic Campus, there is a link called "Teacher Website," which redirects to a "Meet the Teacher" page for "Mrs. K" (full name not found). On this page, Mrs. K provides a couple reasons as to why media studies are so important in the digital age, as well as a brief history of her educational background. The page also includes what appears to be Mrs. K's direct extension (her phone number provided is different than the front office number) and a link to her email, ostensibly for parents to contact her. Mrs. K is a "Library Technology Educator," meaning she serves the whole student population at RJWAC. RJWAC, in turn, seems like a very unique academic setting that is "open 14 hours a day... and offers alternative education schools, an early college high school, career pathways, online education, credit acceleration, night school, adult and family education, and additional community supports."
https://www.d11.org/domain/3909

As a future history teacher, I would like to use technology to organize my classroom in exciting and innovative ways that provoke students' independent thinking. I think this could be accomplished by introducing technologies which promote group work because discussion of viewpoints is one of the most important tools for analyzing history. Another advantage of technology I would like to capitalize on would be like virtual tours of museums or sites my class wouldn't normally have access to from their desks. I believe this could be enormously aided by development in VR technology that would enrich the whole experience for students (and me!).
I thought the Tech Sandbox exceeded my expectations far and away. I was more impressed with the staff's thorough knowledge of all the tech, but especially by their awareness as to how everything could be implemented in a real-life classroom. As mentioned above, I think VR tech would be extraordinarily helpful in expanding the access students have to say, ancient sites. VR would allow students to "explore" Machu Picchu or the Louvre without leaving the class or disturbing the sites. I can also imagine the benefits of using 3D printed materials to "build" artifacts or models of historic places to allow students to truly comprehend their marvels.
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