Technology in Teacher Education -Nevada (TITE-N), through its Partners Consortium, works to increase the proficiency of pre-service teachers in applying modern technology to K-12 instruction in the College of Education
at the University of Nevada, Reno.

E-mail Melissa at: wessendorfm@churchill.k12.nv.us

Anticipated graduation date: May 2005

Major: Secondary education, General Science

Technology skills: I have skills in Word, PowerPoint, PeachTree, and Excel. I use my email
often and have recently learned how to IM someone. I use the Internet only less than I use my dictionary (which I do several times a day, how is that for technology?). I have learned to search for lost files in my computer and can download programs from the Internet and disk. I did a stint with a mini-term media class and learned to make videos with music, voice overs, titles and transitions, though I am sure my skills are still a bit rough.

My technology examples:

How I plan on integrating technology into my teaching: I think that technology in a science classroom would be an easy fit. I think that students need to be prepared to deal with the technology around us. To begin with, I think that introduction of technology into my classroom would
have to start with the familiar. Students have used computers now from the first grade. I think that an approach outside of the "sit down and learn the computer" course would beneficial to students in that it can be formed into more of an adventure. Students everyday use their stereo equipment, CDs, DVDs
and so much more. Technology in my classroom would be built from the ground up. What I am saying is that instead of explaining "When the red wire is inserted into the speaker it completes the circuit," I would allow the students to find out for themselves by providing the correct environment and
equipment. And then I would seek the students' explanations. I think that to understand how a device, such as a computer, works from the inside, students may become less intimidated to use the device. I think that it is necessary for students to understand the connection to engineering, as many can find work in such a field if the spark of interest is fanned. Beyond the physical attributes of technology, I would like my students to grasp the key concepts such as the differences between digital and analog data processing, band pass and wave function in sound. For all of the previous mentioned concepts
technology my classroom will help to support and accent lessons. PowerPoint presentations can give students some insight into models that my board drawings may not give. In a biology class I can assign students to the task of first virtually dissecting a frog before the real lab experiment and then I can have students assess the virtual tour. I want students to be prepared to deal with technology as they are confronted with it. I expect to use much of it in my lessons as a complementary tool, as well as subject matter.