http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/03/how-real-world-technology-use-has-inflitrated-change-classrooms/
This article takes a look at several ways in which society has changed and ways to take advantage of them rather than see them as a hindrance. As teachers need to be aware of the world outside of the classroom walls and find ways to incorporate it into our classrooms. There are four such changes highlighted in the article. The first is the amount of interactivity available today's technology. Games in particular have become more interactive with some game systems today using the entire body. Our students are used to motion. The classroom outcome suggested for this is to allow students brain breaks every 15-20 minutes.
A second change highlighted is our ability to have a lot of things today on demand. We no longer have to wait for shows or movies, etc. We can access them on our own schedule. The articles suggestion for on demand learning is a flipped classroom. Students would have access to the material they are learning on their time schedule which allows for collaborative work during class time.
Thirdly, the way we publish is different. There are no longer as many filters to published material as there once were. With the availability of blogs, twitter, and other such sites we can now create our own material with our own views and perspectives. This is the suggested classroom outcome is that students can now write and create on their own for a global audience rather than just the teacher.
Finally everything today is instant. A large majority of our students have access to smart phones or tablets that allow us to be connected all the time. Rather than seeing this as a distraction in the classroom, we should embrace it and use it as a method to dig deeper. It also affords us the opportunity to teach ethical and appropriate use.
The way that our students think and connect with the world is changing. As educators we can ignore this fact, fight it, or embrace it. The author does mention though that while technology has an impact on the classroom, the greatest impact is still the teacher.
This is important because like it or not the world is changing and as teachers we need to adapt. Today's students don't live in the world we did as students and don't learn the same way. It doesn't make sense to have the availability and use of technology that occurs outside the classroom stop at the door. It is an essential part of our students lives and as the article mentioned aside from the enhancement to the subject matter, we also need to teach proper use.
I would say I agree with most of this article. I don't think some of the connections to the particular classroom activities were all that strong, but overall, I think the main point of preparing our students for the world they live in is crucial for effective education.
At Eureka, I think the amount of effective technology use is increasing. I honestly don't use technology as well as I could, but am constantly trying to improve on that. While there are hold outs, I think a large portion of teachers at the high school are willing to try new technology. This is on a variety of levels, but gaining ground.
I so agree with your comment that it doesn't make sense to stop technology use at the classroom door. I think part of the reason for this is the continued lack of training for teachers and their intimidation to try new technology. With so much focus on so many mandates, it's difficult to find the time to learn new technology. I still hear teachers in my building say they are afraid to do something on the computer because they don't want to break the computer.
ReplyDeleteI am excitedly curious to see what the next technologies will be!
I agree with Tammy. I hope many more teachers will take into consideration the four changes you have listed above. If not, there job may become harder and more focused on management, not teaching.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that is difficult for some teachers, is that the use of student devices is a good thing. Our students have literally been raised with technology. Many teachers working, who have worked for years, have seen the rise and use of technology. Some teachers are uncomfortable with technology and even more so with students using it in their classrooms because the teachers can not control exactly what the students are doing on their devices.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the effective use is important. But, sometimes new uses of technology to teach topics are brought about without proper training. In addition, some of the trends of instruction are changed as the winds blow. Today it is the flipped classroom and gameification of classrooms, what will tomorrow bring? I think most of these have valid uses and should be tried to be used if they would benefit students. Many students learn differently, have different interests and if we try to use the tools that most benefit them, to teach in the way that will help them most to learn, then I believe as teachers, we should try whatever tools are available.