Using technology for class management

Furthering my previous post on using technology in the classroom. I wanted to find out about the use of technology for managing the class: syllabus, handouts, lesson plans, project rubrics etc. Are teachers using a platform that gives the students and parents access to the requirements and schedule for the class. I visited two local high school websites and went through each of the social studies departments. What was found was quite surprising. Either the schools do not utilize technology at all or there is another off-cite place that the teachers are using. Of the fourteen teachers websites that I visited only two were being utilized at even a minimal level. Most were one paragraph introductions to the teacher and class with the rest of the site blank. There were links for blogs, paperwork, discussions, etc. but all were blank.

This left me to wonder. Is the Classroom 2.0 technology that we are learning not thought of as being useful by established educators? Or, am I actually ahead of the learning curve?

School district variables

I am currently taking a technology in education course and finding the tools available for teacher is immense. With the ease of access to information and the ability to collaborate on projects teachers are creating new and challenging ways to engage their students. I begin to envision how I would like to utilize technology in MY first classroom. What is causing me some hesitation is that I do not know where I will be teaching. I have been doing some initial research into different school districts and finding that access to technology is varied pretty widely. Even within the same department at the same schools teachers are using technology at different levels. Some do not utilize it at all while others are just scratching the surface.
If/when I get my first classroom. Will I be looked down upon by the other teachers with 20 years of classroom experience that do not use technology? With being the "new" teacher in the social studies department should I start my classes more traditionally and ease into the technology as to not upset the apple cart? Keeping myself politically/professionally safe. Or, should I come in and utlized technology to it's fullest? Risking upsetting my new associates but energizing my students and establishing my rep within the student body.

Getting started

I am starting this blog to create a professional network for teachers and teachers in training . I am currently a re-entry student at the University of Washington-Bothell working on my Masters in Education with secondary credentials in Social Studies and History. I want to develop this blog as a resource for educational information,teaching tools, and general information. I look forward to expanding my knowledge within the profession and colaberating with teachers, or soon to be teachers as this blog grows. Let the building begin.