Our experiences through each step of the project were documented using the digital camera and video recorder.  Photographic images from the videotapes were printed using a Video Capture Card.  These pictures were displayed in the classroom to show the children "in action".  Transcriptions of the children's dialogue was added to the photos to give insight to their thinking and show the learning that was occurring.  I could also add "bullets" underneath the photos to demonstrate the curriculum content or benchmarks that were being covered within the lessons.  I feel this use of technology was extremely beneficial.  Viewers often look at the photos and say, "That looks fun".  Education in an early childhood classroom should be fun, however, I want to point out the learning occurring through each of the activities.

     Photographs were grouped according to similar content and display panels were created.  These boards were placed in the classroom as a pictorial record of classroom experiences.  The documentation boards really grabbed the parents' attention.  They often looked at them searching for photos or work samples from their own child.  While examining the panels, they were also kept up-to-date on classroom events.  The children felt pride in seeing their work displayed, and they could often be found revisiting and discussing prior activities.

     We also scanned some of their drawings and work samples for classroom display.  By doing so, the children were able to take their original work home (avoiding a power struggle between the child and teacher).  Text could be added to their work in a respectful manner.  Typed words underneath the samples is much more respectful than taking a pen and writing all over their original work.  In addition to classroom displays, I began inserting some of these work samples into their individual portfolios.  These were particularly helpful to me during parent-teacher conferences.

     Finally, I think the collaboration between the student teacher and myself was one of the most  valuable components of the project.  I assumed that since I was the "teacher", I would be leading the way through this MITTEN project.  Boy, was I wrong!  Both of us were familiar with technology and its uses.  Although we had many of the same skills, I found that our knowledge differed.  As a result, we learned a great deal from one another.  Collaboration and team effort was apparent throughout the semester.  When one was teaching, the other was taking pictures, videotaping, or writing down some of the children's dialogue.  After almost each school day we worked together, we set aside time to discuss the day's events and plan lessons extending their experiences.

     I can't think of anything I would have liked to change pertaining to our uses of technology in the classroom.  Many of the materials and strategies we used this semester, I will use again repeatedly during my teaching career.  I would like to add one thing to the classroom to improve our Internet usage.  A projection device would've enabled us to look at information on the computer much easier.  Currently, I have to gather all the children around the computer or run web sites onto transparencies and use an overhead projector in order to share information.