During my student teaching, I had the opportunity to teach at Casita School for Science, Math, and Technology, a magnet school that focuses its instruction in these areas. I found the teaching experience at this school to be very wonderful. All students are given the opportunity to spend time in the computer lab twice a week to learn typing and computer skills, language arts and mathematics through the computer. The students are all eager about their time in the lab, and as they complete certain programs or level within a program, certificates are awarded for their achievements. While in the classroom, I was able to use the classroom computers to aid my lessons. The computers are connected to the televisions, and can display on the TV screen what is on the computer. I was able to link to the internet, and use various kid-friendly web sites that aided my instruction. The technology proved to be of great benefit since the students thoroughly enjoyed the visual representations that the computers provided them. While in the classroom, the students were given many opportunities to practice their keyboarding skills on the Alpha Writers keyboards. After a writing assignment, the students would then input their writing into the Alpha machines. I then downloaded the typewritten information into the computer and printed out their papers. Through the experience, I learned that the students thoroughly enjoyed using the machines to make their written creations visually appealing. Through this experience, I am certain I will continue to use the Alpha Writers in the future.
