TIE 512 Teaching Technology in Isolation

Should technology (computer skills, typing, software instruction, etc.) be taught as separate skills or as part of an integrated lesson?

As I read this question, I look at my school dynamics,and I think BOTH! I think technology should be taught in isolation to provide students the opportunity to practice typing and enhance their computer skills. If students are given the change to visit the Computer Lab every week and practice typing, learning the keyboard or learning how to make a power point presentation or other technical based presentation options, then it will make it easier when teachers require them to use those programs in lessons or classroom presentations. I also feel like technology should be integrated into lessons because students are great at learning technology quickly, as it's presented to them. They are fearless and very inquisitive. If a teacher demonstrates a required program or type of software, more than likely students will pick it up or understand it. If we wait until students know how to type or make power points etc., then teachers or students may never get an opportunity to integrate technology into the curriculum. So, I feel that technology should be taught in isolation, strictly for the purpose of enhancing or practicing basic computer skills (typing, learning the keyboard, etc. I think teachers should jump in with integrating technology because students may have challenges in the beginning, but are very excited about technology and are not afraid to dive in. and get their feet wet. The more you practice, the easier something becomes.

http://philly-teacher.blogspot.com/2010/02/how-do-we-best-teach-technology.html

http://thejournal.com/articles/2009/10/01/technologys-impact-on-effective-teaching-strategies.aspx?sc_lang=en

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computerskills/faq/#1

The Worst Professional Development TIE 575

A professional development that I attended that was awful, was a couple of years ago. The session was not that great for several reasons, which perhaps was out of the control of the presenter. To start, the session was overcrowded, apparently more people wanted to attend the session, than what was officially registered, resulting in the room that was originally provided, could not accommodate the amount of people that were present. Once a larger room became available, the session was relocated to the new room. Which was great, however all of the presenters materials had to moved to the new room as well as all the people. With the unexpected transition, the presenter had to set up the presentation and wait for everyone to get settled, by this time 20-25 minutes have been lost from the designated P.D. scheduled time. I felt like once the P.D. started, the presenter rushed through the session and missed, excluded, or did not go into great details with parts of her presentation because of the lost time. I'm thinking the next session was organized, detailed and accommodated the people that wanted to attend the session.