Reflection 3

Today we learned about Google Sites. We're putting together our own fictional classroom website which has different components like a calendar, a page for resources and homework assignments.
So far I think this is the most beneficial thing I've learned in this class. We live in an age of technology and I think it's important for teachers to have websites. I know that when I learn about something new I automatically try and find a website for it so I gain more information on the topic. Also as a student, I would much rather e-mail the teacher and I'm sure as a teacher I would much rather receive and e-mail instead of hundreds of phone calls. I also think it's beneficial to have assignments or classroom information online because then the students don't have excuses for not doing their work.
I'm looking forward to experimenting with Google Sites and becoming more comfortable. I think this knowledge will help me not only as a future teacher but in any job I have. Just the other day my coworkers and I were discussing how someone went about making a website and now I have the beginners knowledge of how to do it.
This will definitely change the way I teach. Not so much what I teach but it helps me to better communicate with absent students and helps my students learn how to be responsible for their own schoolwork. I am going into secondary education and I think having a class website that students have to access will help them prepare for college. I wish I would have had a teacher in high school who did because it was difficult in college for me to get used to finding classroom information online. I think this will also help me remain organized.
I'm excited that this will help me connect better with my students and their parents. I hope to be a teacher that is approachable, but I understand that some students find it difficult to ask questions in class and this website will help them. I also look forward to being able to provide my students with resources that they can use if there is a topic they are particularly interested in. I know that teachers can't cover everything they want to and this way I can provide extra information to my students.