The use of Smartboards and interactive learning in the classroom is a common occurance in this day and age.  The Smartboard with the combination of the Notebook software has become a usefull tool for teachers in the classroom and has provided a variety of options when it comes to developing creative lessons.  The Notebook software has options such as the gallery gives teachers availablitiy to local and online resources along with a number of different pictures and images which may be used with lessons.  The object animation section creates the option of changing size, postiion, or create animation to any text shape or image.  In the content catagory the teacher is provided with online essentials, lesson activities, a database of learning objects, and the oportunity to creat and share network content which can be share with colleages.  These are just a few of the many options that are available with Notebook.
    The Smartboard brings all of these lesson activites to life.  This tool allows the students and teacher to interact with one another during lessons.  It also creates a fun and enjoyable atmosphere in the classroom.  Children are more likely to be engaged in the learning process if they are enjoying and attentive to what is going on and being taught.  I think the use of the smartboard and the notebook software will make life easier for teachers and make the learning process more enjoyable for the student.

    Technology is a part of society, there is no question about that, and I beleive that the integration process has gone quite smoothly.  After watching the video that was presented in class on Tuesday I have been doing some thinking.  I know we discussed how technology affects the classroom and how it plays a part in education, and I beleive technogy can have a positive and negitive effect in the classroom and on teachers as a whole. 
     Technology is essential in everyones life and I think that we would be doing children a disservice if we were to eliminate technology in the classroom.  Children in this day and age need to be prepared to handle what life throws them when they are done school.  If we as teachers cannot provide them with up to date knowledge then we should not teaching them.  We would be hindering their growth and preventing them from becoming competant adults.  Also technology can bring creativity to the classrom and create interest and variety through learning.
    At the same time, as teachers at what point is it decided that technology can replace us.  When does it makes more sense for one teacher to teach thousands at one time in comparision of one teacher educating 25 students.  Don't get me wrong I am not saying that I support this theory or believe that this is the best way of teaching, but we are already seeing this trend happening in schools today.  In our High School in Vauxhall the Art classes are done via internet by a teacher in Taber.  Does this create the best learning environment, probably not. We must consider that these kids  are not able to have Art as an option and through the use of technology they are given the opportunity to do so.  So when the govenrnment funding runs short and kids are in need of education and online teaching becomes a viable option will we see technology replace us?  I hope not, because teachers bring an invaluable resource to the classroom that a computer cannot provide.  Taking the teacher out of the classroom will not only affect the learning of the child but will also affect social skills that are developed through peer realations.  This is an issue that I am sure would make a great debate and if anyone wants to share thier views on the issue I am open to discussion!

    A blog is a tool used on the world wide web in
which a individual or a group of users expresses their opinion, or reports
information on selected topics.  The information that is displayed in a blog is
available for anyone to see and may often be displayed in reverse chronological
order or may contain archived enteries.  These blogs are known as postings and
are often dones on a daily basis.  Blogging has become a popular practice among
young students and teachers are now seeing blogging as a way of connecting with
students outside of the classroom.  Besides communicating with students,
blogging can serve several educational purposes for students such as a
motivational tool for students, effective forums for collaboratin and
discussion, and a great tool which enables learning and mentoring to
occur.
    Bogging can be used in the classroom for educational
purposes in four basic ways.  First of all blogs can serve the purpose of
classroom management.  They can be used to foster a community of learners in
such ways as informing the students about class requirements, homework, and a
forum for answering questions.  The second purpose is collaboration, this can be
done in such ways as teachers offering instructional tips, students can practice
and benifit from peer review, and also offers the posibility of online
mentoring.  Discussion are the third purpose that is served by blogging. 
Through using a class blog the opportunity for each and every student to share
their view and opinion is now possible and some students are more comfortable
sharing thier thoughts online.  Student Portfolios are the final educational
purpose of blogging in the classroom.  Blogs present, organize and protect
students work in the form of digital porfolios and students are more willing to
produce better quality material if they are presented in a blogging format. 
Blogging is being used more often within the classroom for educational purposes
and is appears to be benifital to both the student and the
teacher.