(regarding Technology)

1. What kind of technology was used in the class(es) you observed? Was it effective?
Bidondo- Bidondo’s classroom had this annoying SmartBoard that they rarely used. The only time it
was useful is if she wanted to project a picture from the Elmo. She complained about it because it
covered her regular board, which she’d much rather have than the technology that merely is getting
in her way. She told me she has been fighting to get a new board for her other wall so that she could
have two full boards. Other than that, they had the projector, Elmo, and the kids had limited
availability to their phones (if the teacher instructed use in free time.)
Brings- Brings’ class I think utilized the available technology the most. She would use the projector
for videos, music, PowerPoints, etc., and often the kids were using the screen to visualize concepts
in different ways. She too had the SmartBoard and she didn’t seem to mind not having any other
technology. The projector was hooked up to her work computer in the back (all teachers had these).
Williams- Mr. Williams had a work computer, a projector, and had access to mini laptops for the
students to do online research or document reading. I assume they got these laptops from a grant
but he utilized them and had them sometimes reading through the online version of the reading
before doing an in-class assignment that would apply that learning.

2. What type of technology might you use when you start your teaching career?

I assume that the technology I have will be fairly limited as I begin my teaching career. I imagine
that as a first time teacher I’d have computer access and a projector. I can’t really expect much more as a
beginning teacher.

3. Do you think it is harder or easier to incorporate technology into your classroom?

I think it depends on the technology. I think it’s easy to incorporate something where students
are able to see work being done as the teacher shows how to do something or if the teacher is able to
display videos that will help enhance learning. It would be difficult to incorporate something like a
schoolwide device being assigned to a kid and then having them go through a learning system like
Schoology (something we did at my old High School). It also depends on the number of kids per class
and the size of the school. In smaller classes I can understand how technology could be easier to
implement in comparison to a school like Sawtooth where kids are constantly moving from one thing to
another and they are multiplied 30 kids per class, 7 full classes a day.

4. & 5. How diverse was your class(es) you observed? What did your mentor/teacher do (or not do)
to create a diverse classroom?

Bidondo- This class was interesting. Most of the classes were relatively the same, however, there was
one class where she had around five or six deaf kids, which was awesome because not only were the
other kids getting to see that diversity in language in an environment where everyone is learning the
same thing. This was interesting to see how she dealt with the language barrier (beyond a translator).
It’s hard for her because she doesn’t have time to really get to know those kids. She hasn’t made any
effort to try and learn how to sign or communicate easier with them, instead, she heavily relies on the
other teachers. I felt like she could’ve dealt with that diversity better, however, they seem to respond
relatively well to her instruction.
Brings- I feel like her classes really weren’t very diverse, however, she would move things around just to
apply to the different dynamics of the classes she taught. The classes I observed had several kids in the
fifth period where these kids were mostly all on behavior plans and required extra observation by a
behavior manager assistant lady who would move from class to class alongside the kids, keeping them
on track. She didn’t treat any of these classes differently than the classes where the kids were not on
plans and considered “normal.” She seems to have a good grasp on how to make sure kids feel like they
are equally welcome and involved in classroom dynamic.

Williams- Mr. Williams’ classes also didn’t really have a whole lot of diversity within the classroom,
however, within the curriculum he taught about a lot of diversity. I think that rightfully comes with the
World Civilizations course that he teaches. He did his best to make the students be understanding of the
relativism that comes with conditions and to be more apathetic and apply themselves to these
situations.