Chapter 1 initially surprised me, as I was characterized as
an “elite tech user.” I certainly don’t feel like this title fits me – I got my
first cell phone when I was 16 and didn’t upgrade to a smart phone until about
a month ago, yet I am still considered to be above-average in terms of
technological abilities.
I still have many reservations in terms of integrating
technology into daily classroom life. In the near future, there will be
difficulties in achieving equal computer access across the board of diverse
students in the classroom. Even if computers or tablets are readily available
at school, there’s no telling whether or not a student has ability to use them,
or if a student’s home has such access as well. Time must be spent teaching students
without computer experience how to use such devices, which takes time away from
regular classroom instruction. Since time is already so limited, it seems hard
to justify spending much extra time in class going over the basics of
technology.
Another point that chapters 1 and 2 did not fully cover are
the many lessons that are not made better by technology. Many teachers use
PowerPoint to give notes to their classes. Of course, this saves time on the
teacher’s part, but unless graphics and animations accompany the PowerPoint, it’s
just as passive as regular notes, and possibly even more boring! Chapter 1 also
made mention of an online worksheet as a great classroom activity. Again,
however, unless the worksheet is accompanied by interactive material, it’s
still just a worksheet. Making the decision to put it online can even add
difficulty if students are not closely monitored, as they can easily get off
track and use the computer for non-academic activities.
Of course, technology is not all bad – a teacher’s difficult
job can be aided and simplified in many ways. Chapter 1 discussed a few such
uses, and I was especially intrigued by the use of interactive SmartBoard
lessons and the use of online grading and communication systems. These online
systems are great because they help parents and students stay aware of what is
going on in the classroom while helping the teacher stay on track and up to
date as well.
You raise good points when you bring up the reservations you have about integrating technology into your classroom. Since most of the new technology available comes at a hefty price, it will be a challenge to get all students on board with the necessary equipment, software, and apps. Especially in lower-income areas, I do not see how complete technology integration will ever be achieved. Additionally, technology is currently progressing at a ridiculously rapid rate. This concerns me because even if a school were able to stock its classrooms with laptops or tablets, it would be a matter of years, probably 5 or less, until those computers needed to be replaced and updated. However, I do not agree with you that it will be a waste of time going over how to use different facets of technology. In fact, just today the lead teacher in my classroom conducted a lesson on installing and using the math add-on to Microsoft Office. This use of 40 minutes will allow students to gain the knowledge they need to complete homework assignments on-line. As many of my students have fine motor skill problems and are often dependent upon aides or family members to help them write out their homework, the use of this computer program will be not only incredibly helpful to them, but also to us, as I will be able to follow the steps of their work with ease (unlike when they attempt to write it out on their own-not fun try to decipher that).
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel being described as an “elite tech user.” I still have my old flip phone and it serves me well though the time is fast approaching when I am going to require an upgrade. Yet, even with other devices such as laptops, i-pods, etc. I’m still behind, either owning much older versions or none at all. Yet I know how to operate them which makes acquiring newer ones all the easier for me.
ReplyDeleteYou had some excellent points on the use of new technologies to provide notes and worksheets with which I wholeheartedly agree. During student teaching, my cooperating teacher had me transfer all of the notes from his 12th grade Economics classes onto PowerPoint presentations after we received SmartBoard projectors. Yet, this did littler to enhance or modify his lessons since we had simply transferred the same data from paper to brighter, more colorful electronic slides. Without the sensory materials such as graphics, sounds and movies, the technology is indeed “just as passive as regular notes, and possibly even more boring!” In the end, it is still great teacher who incorporates all the best strategies and tools into his or her lessons that determines whether and what kind of learning will take place.
I cannot agree with you any more. I think it is really hard to make computers and tables available for every class, every school. It can only available in developed countries. In China, there are still many students do not have schools.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I saw a website which presents Quicktime movies of plant growth. Well, of course this is benefitial for our students, but not all of courses can provide such excelent resources all over the world.So, on this point, teaching with technology does have its limitations.
I have to say, I had a slightly different, but very related, experience with yourself. When I first read the category title, of elite tech user, I was fairly certain that would be the category I fell in to. I use a smartphone to control all aspects of my life, I run two different operating systems simultaneously, and I set up a personal home network so I can stream all of my information to all devices in a set radius and which automatically changes my phone's settings when I walk in to different rooms. But when I read the description of what, exactly, counted as an 'elite user', I was a bit set back. Elite users seemed, to me, to be regular users. I know from other studies that Americans have fallen behind in terms of technological and internet use, but what we consider "elite" is in many cases the mainstream in other places. Do you think this is a trend that is developing in other aspects of American life?
ReplyDelete