After class on Friday, I began to think about how I would like to see technology used in my future classroom. On the one hand, technology is cool and I think that it can get kids excited about learning. Plus, they already use it so well that incorporating it into their learning could enhance their learning experiences. Moreover, the use of technology has become more and more important for the work world, thus fostering it in schools seems pretty natural.
However, on the other hand, I think that using technology can cause some problems in schools as well. First of all, if you have students of varying abilities in the use of technology that could create problems. Along those lines, I think that it is often students who are from a lower socioeconomic statues that do not have access to technology, and so the use of it might highlight their lack of a computer at home. (But then I suppose that makes it even more important for them to have exposure...) Also, I think that the use of technology can cause problems because students will sometimes steal or vandalize it. Stealing the mouse ball :) was a huge problem at a high school, where I worked.
Additionally, I am compelled by the idea that all you need to make learning happen is a great, energetic teacher, and technology might just be a distraction. However, that being said, I am very intrigued by the idea of using blogs in English classes or giving the students the options to use a blog instead of a paper journal. Also, I have recently learned how to use DreamWeaver, and I think that there is huge potential for having students create websites about the topics from class. Here is an example of a student compiled website from an English class that I took at Michigan: http://www.umich.edu/~ece/
Overall, I am unsure of the exact role that technology will play in my future classroom, and I am going back in forth between the view that technology will enhance learning and that it will just over-complicate it. However, I am really excited to learn about the different types of technology that one could use in a classroom and to see the positive effects of using this technology!
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4 comments:
Hi Autumn,
I really appreciate your suggestion that students of the lower SES may fall behind in the classroom if technological tools become a significant facet of the curriculum. It didn't occur to me that some students' lack of home resources might hinder their ability to perform certain tasks that require a computer, video camera, etc. Good thinking and interesting question.
Also, as a fellow English sMACer, I agree with your statement that certain exercises that require some form of technology may interfere with the material being relayed and might overshadow the teacher's authority and/or stifle their personality. I believe that certain forms of technology have significantly reduced human interaction and have hindered the development of social skills.
Like you, I am torn about the use of technology in my classroom.
Thanks for your insight,
Bridget
Autumn,
I thought you made very valid points in your post. As I was pondering the importance of education in the classroom, I was also wondering about the balance between using technology effectively and distracting the students. Also, I think if all the students do not have the same prior knowledge when it comes to the technology being used, we (as teachers) might end up using valuable time training the students in the technology rather than enriching our course content. Thanks for your thoughts!
Cristi
Interesting post, Autumn...you clearly have your colleagues thinking, too.
I only believe in the use of educational technology if we can see it serving our teaching and learning purposes, and I endorse your statement about the importance of a passionate, energetic teacher. You are very likely, in fact, to encounter situations where the comfort levels with computers among your students will vary widely. This is surely an issue that is important to consider, just as access is. On the other hand, kids are quick studies when it comes to things they find compelling, and
much value can be derived from circumstances where kids can help one another.
I commend you for being willing to explore and for retaining a healthy skepticism as well.
From what I have seen, almost all of the low SES students I know have cell phones and access to tv, but not always internet. I can only think of one example of a low SES student who didn't have a cell phone (that is in the middle school after school tutoring in Pontiac that I did as well as the scholarship students and the Detroit city schools I looking in on).
But that doesn't mean they would have texting or access to cable tv or anything like that. I suppose it is something to be aware of because not only might they fall behind, but socially it might be difficult for them to admit to a lack of technology in front of peers.
Good thinking on your blog! Wish mine was as thoughtful.
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