Blog Post 2

       As a student, I've used MS Word to create basic documents such as essays and basic posters and flyers. I've had some experience using the many features in Word through a computer apps course I took in high school, but never had to use these tools in assignments for other classes. I have seen teachers use MS Word to create lists of instructions, example papers and works cited pages, and to quickly list ideas and terms for classes.
       In the past, I have seen teachers photocopy pages of text and workbooks to make class sets and worksheet packets. As a teacher, I would need to make sure that whatever I am copying is only being used in my classroom and that my students have access to their own books that have been purchased. As a teacher, I would also be able to download multimedia tools as long as I delete them or obtain permission from the creator after keeping and using the media for more than two years. When my students are creating their own work, they need to make sure they appropriately cite their sources.
      Schools lack the ability to properly and consistently train teachers on how to use technology that is available to them, which makes it difficult for teachers to use the technology that may be available in their school. To combat this, teachers may need to do research on their own and help train other teachers and work together to develop programs that teachers and students can use the new technology for. In addition, technology often lacks the ability to adequately assess students' performance in the classroom. In order to change this, teachers may need to change what kind of skills students are assessed on, so their computer competency that they are taught during the school year is properly tested on during testing periods. Another implementation issue of technology is the resistance of certain people to change. To make the transition to technology-centered classrooms smoother, teachers may need to slowly but consistently introduce students to technology as a tool for learning in the classroom.