With the growth of technology in the world we see it constantly creeping into our classroom. Many districts are concerned that this is allowing the “outside world” into the classroom. On the other hand, some districts are embracing this advance in technology and are incorporating it into the classrooms.

In my opinion, the reasons some districts have such a huge problem with social media in the classroom is they are not prepared to take on this new level of technology. I do think there are some districts that are being too liberal with the restrictions kids have on accessing certain websites at school. I do not see a problem with using websites like Edmodo or certain blog websites as long as they are protected and do not allow outsiders to view or joining the groups without codes. I do not see a need for students to have access to Facebook in a classroom. i do see this becoming more of a chance for students to socialize versus them using it for educational purposes. As I’ve stated in previous posts, we have to be careful how much technology we allow in the classroom. Technology should never replace authentic teaching. Students need to have face to face interaction in the classroom, not with headphones on and communicating through a posts. There are appropriate times for this type of technology to be used but there also needs to be limits.

Some people may wonder how my research with Salmonella and crushing livers and spleens of mice could influence and even change a part of my teaching. Believe it or not there are many things I have now considered “tweaking” this year based off of my internship experience.

The biggest change I see for me is making sure my students realize how much science affects their everyday lives and even their own bodies. I have seen myself making way more connections of my lessons to how they personally impact my students. I think this stems from this summer in realizing how important research and proper food preparation is essential to me. Many of my students in the past have never seen the connection science has to them. I have made it my mission to somehow connect many of my lessons directly back to how it could have an impact on them. For example, as I taught my virus and bacteria lessons I made sure students fully understood how a virus can attack their immune systems and the importance of getting vaccines and antibiotics when a bacteria is present in their body.

I also spent  more time teaching them how not all bacteria is harmful. Many of my students thought all bacteria is bad. I made sure to debunk that myth this year by making yogurt with them to show how good bacteria is found in our foods and it is important to make sure we replenish the good bacteria in our bodies especially when we are on antibiotics.

I do think the internship has affected how i approach and teach certain topics this year and I do see this continuing to happen in the upcoming units.

As I prepare for the upcoming school year I am constantly thinking of how to tie my experience from the summer into my classroom. I honestly think my students will be interested in my experience from the simple fact they most of them eat chicken and everything disgusting smelly and hands-on is of high interest to middle schoolers. I think my students will learn a great deal about how microbiology is part of their everyday lives. They will also make the connections about all the career choices there are in the micro field and hopefully spark some interest for some of them. I think my students will want to learn even more about what microbes are found in the food they eat as well as the microbes in their own body. This is a great way to tie the research from the summer right back to their own personal selves. As well all know middle schoolers will be interested….if it is about them!

Here’s to a great micro-filled year!!!