On Computers

My second grade students love using the computers. In fact, almost all of them look forward to having computer for their reading center. I observe great enthusiasm as well during technology specials on Fridays which means they get to use computers. We do incorporate technology in our instruction like using the Interwrite Boards and Visualizer. However, we have not tried using computers for writing. For now, we think that our second graders need some more hands on in developing their use of paper and pencil to practice their letter formation and spacing which most of them need, even some have it on their IEP objectives. We have six computers in the classroom; two of which are in my “resource room” where students get to do the special education reading program called I-Station which the county started implementing last year. It was catered for all the second graders in our school but this year because of budget issues, they are only being implemented for special education students.
Personally, I do not really use computer a lot unless I need to. I have used computer and found the World Wide Web very helpful during my college years and some grad school semesters in the Philippines. Now that I am here in the states, I use the computer to do my grad work papers and presentations, pay my bills, check my email, etc... . I can list some boons and banes of using computers but I will end this blog by agreeing that computers have taken an integral part on peoples’ lives. It is universal. It is inevitable.