What I've noticed while in field is that sometimes the difficulties of using technology outweigh the benefits. For instance, I watched several students waste class time when their laptops wouldn't work properly, and several teachers experienced technical difficulty as well. I just don't know if it is worth the hassle in all instances.
That being said though, in the yearbook room I saw students flourish with the help of technology. Students were engaged, creative, and excited about their work. However, this goes back to a point that I made previously in that maybe technology is best left to the classes that are designed around it rather than as an addition to a "traditional" classroom. Thoughts?
I think technology definitely has it's place in the classroom, but for it to actually be effective, it should be used by teachers who know about it. Teachers should test their technology before class to ensure that everything will work properly, and, ideally, they should test computers that students will use as well. Keeping students on task can help when students try to waste class time on technical difficulties. One of the teachers I observed really tried to use technology in her classroom, but you could tell she was unfamiliar with it, and had a few slip ups. I think teachers should take the initiative in their continuing professional development to go to workshops to learn about new technologies. I think that alone could help to eliminate a lot of problems which arise in the classroom. I think "traditional" classrooms shouldn't try to use technology in every single thing they do, but I certainly think it is beneficial in supplemental circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Susie, but furthermore, I think creating a distinction between "traditional classrooms" and those more advanced only allows teachers to inhibit student options for learning and growth by claiming to be "traditional." Besides, what's wrong with having plans B, C, and D in a folder in the filing cabinet? All the best teachers can think on their feet, therefore the technology issues that arise won't render the class as a waste.
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