Hey everyone, my name is Sean Gholami and I’m currently studying to be an English teacher for high schoolers at CSUN. I currently teach and tutor middle school boys at a private school, and will use that experience to provide insight on various topics that involve teaching. Some of my main interests include playing video games, watching anime and movies, and taking my dog to the park. My dog is named Lucky, and he’s a seven year old Chihuahua that’s full of love. 

For today’s blog, the purpose will be to discuss the use of technology within a classroom environment, and the pros and cons that inherently come with its usage. In the school I teach at, smartboards are common, taking up a traditional whiteboard in almost every class. All in all, smartboards are a direct upgrade from their whiteboard or chalkboard counterparts, as they provide a multitude of unique ways to keep a classroom engaged and focused. They allow the teacher to play videos, make constructs like graphs or shapes, and have access to the Internet. It serves all the functions as a normal board and projector, but simply enhances the user and classroom experience. The only drawback of the smartboard is it can be difficult to navigate for teachers who aren't as technologically literate, and there’s always the possibility of the board malfunctioning in some way. Despite these flaws, all in all smartboards provide a level of convenience and engagement that normal boards can’t offer.

Another extremely common piece of technology that’s used virtually everyday are the Chromebook and iPads, as these are how the students take state standardized assessments. However, unlike the smartboard which is in the hands of a teacher, giving students access to the Internet is completely different, and is ill advised, as they tend to find ways to play games, not focus on the task in hand, and overall make the learning experience worse for both student and teacher. They seem to be impossible to get rid of once brought out, and a lack of care for assessments due to them not being graded is also a problem. Students randomly select answers so they can get the test over with, and while teachers can reset them, it only disincentives them to actually complete the assessment. Another flaw is that many teachers use them as a way to get a free day, even if the students haven’t particularly earned it, as it just makes the teacher’s job easier to give their students iPads and Chromebooks to distract themselves. Overall, these pieces of technology have failed to properly integrate in a learning environment, and should be removed or stored unless absolutely necessary.