Monday, November 17, 2008

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.