Are you pro-technology in the classroom?
To my fellow readers, in and outside my classroom, have you ever thought about the pro’s and con’s of technology as a learning medium in the classroom? Until the subject was brought up recently in class a few weeks back, I would say the thought never crossed my mind. In terms of technology, as a high school student, my thoughts were more focused on making sure my teacher did not see me on my phone, and now as I complete my post secondary education, while a bit more yielding in terms of technology, I still find myself being aware of my teacher’s movements as to not get caught on websites or anything other than what we’re focusing on in class.
I’m sure a lot of you find yourselves doing the same thing, so lets ask ourselves, why? We all probably have different answers, some of you may not have answers at all, but let me tell you what mines are and lets see if we can relate. For me, my devices, in this case lets say my phone, are like an extended part of myself. An expression I tend to use quite often is that “my phone is basically my life”. Seriously, I even named it. It helps me remember dates, organize my plans and ideas, keeps me connected, and helps me avoid awkward situations. So if something is this useful to a persons life, why can’t it be used as a learning medium, rather than a hidden mistress? The obvious argument is that it is distracting. And that is true, as I find myself distracted during the times I’m actually trying to concentrate in class and I see the person in front of me watching a very interesting episode of Naruto on their laptop. However, distractions come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and it all bubbles down to the engagement and interest of the students. Even without technology a student can withdrawn themselves into their own imaginary worlds or doodles on their notebooks. Now does it make sense to take away from the usefulness and higher level of engagement that technology could provide due to silly reservations and fears to wander from our traditional sense of teaching and learning?
Photo accredited to Paul Silli’s Blog post “Why Should School Districts Invest in Technology”
Technology is a tool! – Cindy Matthews
In the article “Technology in the classroom isn’t a Utopia. It’s a must.”, written by Cindy Matthews, she explores the benefits and necessity of integrating technology into the classroom as well as reflects upon the challenges that lie therein. The article stresses that technology is merely a tool for learning, like dictionary, calculator, educational assistant, or even a desk. However, that through invitation and then exploration, would student be able engage and explore computer software or other forms of technology.
Photo accredited to TeachThoughtStaff at http://www.teachthought.com/technology/how-teachers-feel-about-technology-in-the-classroom/
The article gives wonderful examples where technology is beneficial to students, both cognitively as well as emotionally. It helps students “make gains in work time completion, vocabulary expansion, and writing / typing.” Student’s self-esteem will also peak as they become more confident in their skills. Some students may have never completed work in other settings before without staff constantly intervening to keep them ‘engaged’. Yet, once technology manipulation has been taught to students, independence is the goal and many students have demonstrated know-how confidence in using technology to finish tough tasks like math problems. Therefore by replacing the pencil with a laptop, the built-in options like dictionary, synonym finder, highlighting and footnoting in programs like Microsoft Word provide students with sufficient manipulation of the learning environment and encourage children to further resources in place of them not trying at all.
Another factor Matthews discusses is UDL. Universal Design for Learning, originating in architectural studies, is the design and flexible use of physical structures and adaptations in order to assist a variety of users. For example, ramps benefit both people who use wheelchairs but people with walkers, charts (to bring in heavy things) and caregivers with strollers. Now it is a known fact that every student learns differently. There are those with differences in their ability to speak, hear, see, do, move, write, understand, translate from English, express ideas, attend, organize, engage, etc. The article further discusses how UDL with media technologies could be used to facilitate access to the curriculum. So how does UDL connect technology to learning? UDL is an instructional design and primarily depends on the educator to mold to fit the students in a classroom’s need. This means that educators (through the use of this type of technology and philosophy) can reach all students.
Photo accredited to DHH Cyber Community group at http://dhhcybercommunity.cs.washington.edu/projects/
The biggest impairment to an educator striving to provide an enriching learning environment for children is the lack of engagement. The responsibility of this is not of the children, but the educator. Children do not lack motivation or interest because something is incoherently wrong with them, but rather it is the ineffective way the educator is teaching.
Now the article talks very much about the benefits of technology in the classroom in the classroom of school aged children (children 6 and above), however, it doesn’t specify or discuss the importance of technology in the classroom of the early learners (children under 6). To a majority of educators the idea of introducing technology to children at such a young age seems more detrimental to their development as they believe it will take away from the physical and kinesthetic development. However, when contemplating engaging young children to technology, one must not assume that technology refers only to computers (which I assume a majority of that ‘majority’ believe). Technology can be as simple as allowing children to use a camera to take pictures, or showing them how to use an app to make a story using those pictures. Technology is also the use of rubber sleeves for pencils to help children grip them better.
We must not forget that these children are born into and are growing up in a technological world. Therefore, as educators we must aid children with the etiquette and proper use of technology. Combined with the knowledge and proper training of child development, early childhood educators have the opportunity to provide children with the perfect balance of creativity, anatomy, social-emotional support with the integration of technology into the classroom. Although there are potential challenges to arise, to deny integration would be akin to forcing children to complete workbooks. Disadvantageous.
If you have any comment or thoughts about this subject, please feel free to leave a comment below, like or share this blog post.
Follow the links below for more information.
Till next time ~
Ebby
Cindy Matthew’s Article;
Technology in the Classroom isn’t Utopia. Its a Must.
Related Links You Might Find Interesting;
Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students
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