Q & A Week 3

The ideas from the video did not really reflect the ELA teacher that I interviewed. Since Mrs. Muller (the ELA teacher) teaches in an unique program dealing with children from sheltered and ultra-orthodox homes, she does not have many opportunities to utilize the important benefits of technology. Despite her limitations, Mrs. Muller does try her upmost to integrate technology into her lessons to maintain her students’ attention and increase interest in the subject matter. Although in the world at large technology does take up a large portion of everyone’s day as mentioned in the video, with Mrs. Muller’s student body technology use is at a minimum.

In order to change Mrs. Muller’s style one has to bear in mind the sensitivities of the religious community that she is serving. One idea could be to provide a special lab that is fully equipped with computers with internet access. Each computer will be protected by a filter to ensure that only information that the parent body would approve of would transpire. This lab would be under the direction of Mrs. Muller who will guide her students in maximizing the uses of the computer and the internet. Other forms of technology that is not as offensive to the community can also be used. For instance voice recording would be acceptable as well as photographing are all forms of technology that is encouraged in this special group.

Being that Mrs. Muller herself is an esteemed member of this community, it is very possible that she too lacks the familiarity with computer and internet use. Therefore an extensive training in how to use a computer and how to research using the internet as well as tutorials on other uses of the internet would be necessary. In addition, raising the awareness of computer use among the children would also be vital. In order for technology to be effectively integrated into Mrs. Muller’s curriculum she would need a computer for herself, and personal computers for each of her students. Smart boards, digital cameras, and voice recorders would also be important for Mrs. Muller to have to execute a technologically based lesson.

In reference to grouping the students, many of Mrs. Muller’s students are siblings. Perhaps instead of purchasing a computer for each individual student, one computer can be bought per family for each of the siblings to share. In addition the families in this community live in apartment buildings. Therefore, it would be helpful if one family in a building had access to the proper equipment to be paired up with a family that does not. That way travel time is at a minimum for those who do not have access to the necessary equipment.