Becoming an e-teacher was a very informative chapter. Technology inside of the classroom has been one of the major factors of students highly being engaged in learning new material. As educators there are many pros and cons in incorporating technology inside of the classroom. There have been various research that has proven that students love when technology is incorporated in each lesson because it moves away from the whole class instruction method and allows students to effectively communicate with their peers through group work. Over the years school districts have improved their public schools by providing at least one to two computers mandatory inside of a classroom. Teachers have been overwhelmed with various tasks to complete through out the school day, that they found it difficult to use the only two to three computers inside of the classroom as part of their lesson. As we have moved into the 21st century teachers have now been introduced to SmartBoard's, where teachers are able to type their lessons and access everything right on the smart board. The smart board has increased student participation and it has also provided visual, tactile, and auditory learners with their preferred learning style. We have come a long way, in the past the internet speeds on computers weren't as fast as they are now inside of our classrooms, but now students are able to gain internet access in a matter of seconds. The big argument is that technology has caused our students to steer away from reading books and improving their note taking skills. The cons have been that students are spending to much time on electronic devices. The public school system still monitors the websites that students go on a daily basis, and blocks pages that are still in effect. The major problem is not all districts have the money in their budget to afford a smart board for each classroom. Teachers are also complaining that although smart boards have replaced the chalk board they haven't learned how to use the smart board to its full potential, in fact many teachers say that their students know how to work the smart board better than they do. One of the major questions is are we moving to fast as a society when each new year a new technological invention is introduced and our students are always ready to try it out. The other problem is some teachers have a lot of difficulty differentiating their lesson via the smart board. As educators we have to master technology and make it useful in the lives of our students. There are students who walk around always starring at touch screen devices, but there are applications that let us monitor the content that they are viewing. Students are able to take virtual tours of places and research because of technology.
Two Questions :
1) How do we make sure that as educators we don't get replaced with Virtual Teachers, and society doesn't head into the direction where students are learning from their laptops at home?
2) How do we help those districts in our communities that are way behind in technology and haven't been introduced to even a smart board yet?
Hi Les,
ReplyDeleteYou made some valid points in your reflection regarding technology in the classroom. I agree that technology in the classroom is important, but like your question when do we stop with it and incorporate "old school" learning habits. I believe our classrooms need a blend of both "old school" and "new school" learning to survive. The sad factor is that most students aren't aware of how to access books in the local libraries. Some students have never even been to their local libraries.
Schools need a "buddy" system or strong educational advocates to introduce technology into certain districts. There are schools at a much greater advantage than others that can donate funds or older models of technology to the underprivileged. The government also provides grants. Our main focus should be to create a "voice" in the school systems. If we as educators do not stand up for ourselves and the children we teach, then nothing will change.
Technology is great and it does benifit the students in the long run, but I dont think educators will never get replaced with virtual teachers because I believe that a teacher is more then someone who teaches, they inspire minds, and I dont believe that a virtual teacher can possible do that. Students learn best in group settings so interacting with their classmates and teachers in person will only seem the most possible in acheiving that.
ReplyDeleteIts not fair for students in certain districts not to have the same access to technology as others but often times it all comes down to lack of funds. Unless these schools get grants that allow them to provide the students with this access to technology.I think that is all about the views and values the principals and superindents have on techology. If they really want to let their students and teachers have this access them im sure it could be done.
Hope my answers were helpful!
Very interesting point about virtual teachers. One does have to wonder how much technology can take over human occupations. Indeed, many jobs that used to be done by humans have been automated. However, as Nena said above, there needs to be some human interaction in person with classmates and a live teacher to maximize learning. Sometimes having a face to face conversation and sitting together to figure out a problem is the only way to accomplish something. Learning is a social endeavor, and that's why I think teachers can never be fully replaced.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a great tool to use in the classroom but you also made a valid point on how much technology is too much technology. I for one think that as teachers we must learn to differentiate instruction in a way that uses books and other resources with technology. Many students are steered away to technology but as teachers we can adapt those lessons in a more educational approach that helps balance both resources.
ReplyDeleteWe can help those districts in our communities that are way behind in technology by starting off with doing some lessons on power points adding some cool add ons. Exposing students to some different ways of using technologies in classroom settings. We can also give students assignments that allow them to research/do things on the computer in their local public libraries if they don't have access to one at home. Even this much is allowing them to engage in technology which is a start.
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