Intro to Mike's Blog

NAME:  Mike Montalto-Rook

BIO:  Completed my undergraduate and masters degrees at T.C.N.J. (B.S. in Comp Sci and M.A.T. in Secondary Ed. Math).  Currently enrolled as a full-time Ph.D. candidate in Instructional Systems in College of Ed. at P.S.U. 

INTERESTS:  Watching all sports, playing soccer and wii sports (if that qualifies), playing and teaching music (vocal, guitar, djembe drum, piano), reading (currently R. Ludlum novels), and watching movies.  View the picture of me conducting a K-8 Music Concert at Saint Michael School in Loretto in the PHOTO section on the right. 

REASON FOR TAKING CI 597:  Learn more about blogs, wikis, podcasts and how to incorporate these technologies in the classroom.

INTERESTING FACTS:  Have performed numerous hand drumming shows with Jim Donovan, the old drummer for "Rusted Root," as part of the Saint Francis University World Drumming Ensemble.

OVERALL COMFORT LEVEL WITH TECHNOLOGY:  Very high... prolly 10 out of 10.  Previous projects have included Web Design, Graphic Design, Audio Editing, and Movie Filming and Editing. 

DOES TECHNOLOGY INTEREST ME:  Yes, with an emphasis on emerging technologies and their use in teaching and learning.

HOW TECHNOLOGY INFLUENCES TEACHING AND LEARNING:  I currently feel that technology is necessary for teaching and learning in the classroom today.  However, I view technology as an aid and resource, not as the main teaching method.  A teacher is still the leader and facilitator of the classroom and needs to determine where and when the use of technology is appropriate.