Reflections for the Future

Since this post signifies the end of my required blogging I want to use it to reflect on some of the things that really stood out to me while taking this digital technology in the classroom course. The main overall point I would like to make is how I have been able to gain a greater appreciation for digital technology in the classroom as well as the use of multimodal literacies. Initially, while I knew it held benefits for some students, I had viewed technology more as a distraction due to my personal experience as a student with technology in my classrooms. However, after taking this class I can see how beneficial technology can be and how it can greatly enhance a student's learning experience.

Of course, a big part of its success is due to the teachers knowledge of how to properly implement various types of technology. For example knowing how to block inappropriate or distracting websites when having your students work online for a project. Or using devices such as a SMART Board for lessons that cannot be done in the traditional way with pen and paper. I have learned that there is a difference between simply sugar coating a traditional lesson with technology use and actually using it to have a real multimodal lesson.

Although we only had the chance to dabble in some of the resources (common craft videos, SMART Boards, online puzzle makers, rubric creators, word clouds, etc.) for using digital technology in the classroom, I have seen how it opens doors for creativity and ways of learning. Lessons can be more accommodating for the various types of learners. It is easier to create a single lesson for visual, auditory, and hands-on learners. It can also provide a fun and inviting aspect to classroom learning for some students who are more reluctant to become engaged. I feel that technology also allows for more creativity to take place.

Another significant element I really took from this class was the greater ability for teacher connectivity. This can be teacher-to-teacher, teacher-to-students, and teachers-to-parents. I had never really considered the various ways of having these connections besides the traditional student agenda books or face to face meetings. However, with resources such as blogs, blendspace, e-portfolios, Wiki spaces, and so on the ease of getting connected rests at our fingertips. Being able to connect with other teachers and share information is so useful. Learning about what other teachers have tried and learned what works and doesn't can make lesson planning so much easier. Being able to create class pages online where homework and projects can be posted for students to access reduces some of the inconveniences of paper. It also provides a way to post school news for parents to access and find out what is going on at their child's school (because honestly, some of the younger kids are not going to remember to tell their parents all the little details they were told during the day). And sites such as e-portfolios allows students another venue to showcase their work besides the school hallways. Students may put more care into their work if they know they will be able to post it online for a greater selection of peers to view.

So, I believe it is safe to say I have been able to gain a greater appreciation for the use of technology in classroom settings. There are negatives and many things to consider when planning to use it in a classroom, but once a teacher learns how to use and integrate a balance of technology into their classroom a whole world of opportunities opens up!

Technology Dependency

Technology can be such a beneficial tool that can enhance students' learning. However, with the drastic surge in its use in the past 50 years or so it seems as though we have come to rely on it a little too much. First of all, what if the power were to go out? We know what to do with ourselves? Would we still know how to conduct fun and engaging lessons if our digital technology took a fall?

The main concern I have for bringing up the dependency on technology in a classroom is when it becomes used in place of developing skills. For instance, when my younger sister was in about grade two, my parents attended a parent-teacher meeting to discuss my sisters school work. My parents brought up the topic of improving her spelling ability to which the teacher's reply is something I find to be a bit disturbing. The teacher answered, “Oh, don't worry about it. Just teacher her to use spell check on the computer.” This teacher was suggesting that her student become reliant on technology rather than work on honing her spelling skills. As you may agree (which I hope you do) that this is an extreme reliance on technology which should not act as a teaching method. I believe the purpose of digital tools is to help develop skills, not replace them. Otherwise, yes, we may become smarter in terms of technological knowledge, but we do it at the risk of loosing other necessary skills.

Learning to balance the use of technology is important. As teachers and future teachers we should be using it as a method for building skills, not replacing them.

How much freedom is too much?

I always thought it was amazing what and how children could learn when left to their own devises. I believe that our minds were made to learn and continue to learn for our whole lives.

I watched this TED talk video by Sugata Mitra entitled “The child-driven education” (http://goo.gl/MYS9). I found it to be very inspiring as to the learning capacity of children. Even without any formal education children will teach themselves and their peers when they wish to learn. When they decide to invest in something they are interested in they can achieve what may seem impossible.

However, this also got me thinking. How much freedom should be given to children who are being taught in the classroom? There is a curriculum which has guidelines and standards that are expected to be met. How can we as future teachers meet these standards while allowing the children to drive and direct the education. There are some schools which have, or are in the works of, implementing play based learning. Is this not the same as child driven education? If I am understanding this correctly, in these methods of education, the teacher follows the guidance of their students in what subjects are being covered and what methods are used to engage in those subjects. How much freedom is appropriate when allowing children to direct the education happening in a classroom? If teachers follow their students guides will there be important components or skills that get left behind in the process? How can we find that even balance of child driven education and teaching the basics covered by the curriculum?

How much freedom should be given to child driven education? Thoughts, comments, advice?

Creativity is Being let Off its Leash!

Creativity is such a vital skill that children should have the opportunity to cultivate. It is a skill that will be useful in any field or work environment. It allows for children to learn and discover their abilities such a more personal level. With the ever increasing use or technology the opportunities to be creative are expanding. Creativity has been let off its leash thanks to technology and now we can run along beside it in any direction we choose.

Being creative doesn't necessarily mean coming up with fantastical drawings or ingenious ways of solving a math problem. It should be used as a way to express thoughts, feelings and knowledge in a more full and comprehensive manner. With technology there are more ways than ever to allow students to express themselves in creative ways. Traditionally, there would be students who thrived at art, music, language, and so on while those who did not were considered average, with little creativity to their name. However, technology can allow for those 'average' non-creative students to find their own venue for creativity.

I believe that when used in the right ways, technology is the perfect tool for encouraging and allowing creative behaviour to take shape. Finding that activity which a student likes and is excited to engage in provides them the opportunity to become successful in school activities and reach out unlike before.

As opposed to traditional teaching methods which seem to rely more on comprehension through mental perceptions (ie reading, writing, etc.) technology provides a more creative method for students who are more hands-on, visual learners. It is easier for students to grasp the concept of a lesson when they can see it physically take shape in front of their eyes. Students should not be restricted to traditional methods because not every child learns in the same way, nor do they express themselves in the same ways as their peers.

For example, as a writing activity students could design their own stories on a computer and watch them come to live with the help of music, voice recording and images. Or when teaching music lessons, using a SMART Board program that allows students to place notes on a staff and then listening to the composition will enhance their ability to comprehend.

 

The opportunities are endless in the ways the technology can set creativity free!

(images imported from Google Images)

Modeling Creativity in the Classroom

The following post is in reference to these two documents:
http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2
http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/netsessentialconditions.pdf?sfvrsn=2

After reading the above documents provided by ISTE, I am pleased with the amount that creativity is valued in their standards. Sometimes I feel that with all the technology that is available to kids today (ie. video games, movie players, iPods, notebooks, etc.) their sense of creativity and imagination is vanishing. It appears that they have a harder time being creative and engaging in activities that do not involve electronics (yes, I realize this is a generalization, however for some kids it's not that far of a stretch). With the ease of technology today grand adventures, enchanting stories, and mystifying endeavours are at one's disposal with the click of a few buttons. Entertainment is no longer sought through the creativity of one's mind because it has already been developed and made available by someone else's.

I don't mean to sound like I am bashing technology or that kids today have no imagination, I just want to make the point clear that it is important to be aware of how we let it effect us. I would hate to see the creativity that is so predominant in childhood become nothing more than a thing of the past which we read about on our tablets and notebooks. Technology can be used for so many good things! And like it was noted in the above documents, it can be use to spur creativity in learning. Through teaching students how to use technology appropriately and responsibly, and that it holds a world of possibilities for them teachers are opening doors where the imagination has room to flourish and discover. Creativity is important for moving forward in developing knowledge and creating meaning.

Another point which I would like to highlight is the concept that teachers are to be models in their classrooms and school community. I fully agree with this. It is amazing what children pick up by watching others perform a task or exhibit a behaviour. When a teacher models positive and constructive behaviour towards something their students will be more likely to cheerfully engage in it. Along with this, I believe it is important for teachers to be knowledgeable in how to implement technology in their classroom. The more they know about the various methods, programs, and devices to use the better communicators of knowledge they will be for their students. This does not necessarily mean that all teachers have to be tech wiz's, but they should model that they are willing to learn and try new avenues. This teacher model will more likely result in students also being more willing to learn and experiment with new technologies.

Why am I learning about Digital Technology anyway?!

Hello readers and fellow bloggers,

I am Bethany Guthrie, an education student at Redeemer University College. In the field of education I am interested in becoming a special education teacher. From personal experiences I have found that I really love working with children with unique abilities to help them realize and reach their full potential! I have also noticed that children who have difficulty focusing and learning with the conventional methods of book and pencils often excel at expressing their skills and knowledge through other means such as technology.

My reason for taking this course is to come to a better understanding of how technology can be useful in classroom settings. I hope to become more confident with the different uses of technology so that I will be able to use it appropriately and most effectively in a classroom. I know there is soooo much technology out there today and I cannot even pretend that we will cover it all in this class. However at least by beginning with the basics and gaining a bit more advanced knowledge about the use of digital technology in the classroom I will be more comfortable with implementing it and seeking means to learn more about it.

Personally I am not all that efficient or knowledgeable when it comes to technology. I am willing to learn about its benefits and how to use it. I am not a fan of students having Ipods and phones in the classroom because they can be BIG distractions. I am not saying that I am against technology in the classroom but I do believe that it needs to be used appropriately and responsibly to have successful results. I know there are benefits for many students by having the opportunity to use technology. It can have them engage with their work on a whole new and exciting level. The a primary role of education is to prepare children for the world outside of schools, and since this world has become so technologically oriented it is import to prepare students for that world. My only concern about implementing technology in the classroom is the balance of digital technology and non-technology uses. It should be an integration not a supplementation.

The following link is for a small article which examines the views of some middle grade teachers and their changed views towards digital technology in the classroom. I found it very relatable in the fact that I know digi. tech. can be useful but I am unsure of how.

Enjoy!

http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Journals/VM/0194-may2012/VM0194Risks.pdf