Working with the Assist Program this summer for my externship has really opened my eyes to the way I think through connections in my classroom.  At First, I was a nervous  about my fellowship because I am a math teacher and I didn’t think that I could find any ways to teach a lesson base off nanotechnology.  Now that I am more informed about this topic, I realize that there are tons of applications that I can use to enhance my classroom experience.  My lesson plans actually are derived from the research that I have done on Rift Valley Fever.  I have discovered statistics that are relatable to different types of regressions (linear, quadratic, exponential and cubic) that I will incorporate in my classroom in the fall.  These resources will be essential for allowing my students to see and connect real life applications.  I’m so grateful for this opportunity and look forward learning more throughout the year.

What challenges do we have with technology in our classrooms? First and foremost, the availability of technology hardware.  The question of how many computers will be available for teacher needs.  The second challenge would be the availability of technical assistance.  It is rare that a school district has enough technical resource specialists to assist teachers at the building level, let alone the in the individual’s classroom.   Timing is also an issue with Technology.  The time it takes to master the software applications that are required to implement a  technology base lesson plan.  Even if you have the hardware, trouble shooting skills, and knowledge of how to use the software, it still takes time and experience to effectively integrate the technology into your teaching.