I think that technology can absolutely have a hugely positive effect on classrooms, across all grade levels. In my mind, the difficulty lies first in deciding when and if you should be using technology within your classroom. It seems that if one has access to impressive new technology, the urge to use it without proper forethought could be quite high, particularly with how often schools and classrooms are under-supported when it comes to 'frivolous' items such as science kits, computers, and other technological implements. Technology should not be approached as one views a mountain, as something to climb 'because it is there,' but rather evaluated case by case for an effective fit for your goals and the betterment of your students.
Especially for younger students, utilizing too many technological implements, or coming back to specific tools too often, could create a distraction that outweighs any benefit derived by students.
(I say that as someone who even as a 'grown up' still loses focus from time to time when presented with a gadget or other piece of technology)
In terms of NETS*T, I feel that standard 5.B is the most crucial as a basis for a philosophy of Technology in Education. The idea of employing technology seamlessly within a classroom preempts it as too major of a distraction, especially if students realize the technology as an everyday part of class, not something new and exciting. (Though new and exciting may be exactly what it is!)
Beyond that, using technology in the classroom to further "community building" is in my mind a very organic and logical step for classroom technology in light of how advances in the internet have yielded such social tools as facebook, twitter, and myspace. Allowing students to safely communicate with classmates, parents, and teachers is a fantastic use of technology, as is the prospect of going one step further and allowing discourse with administrative staff and even specialists within (or even outside of!) a school or district.
As far as my own experiences with Technology in the classroom go, I have seen very little, with none of it what I would classify as 'exciting' technology. That is to say that my experiences have been limited entirely to the use of computers as a tool for assessment, within the bounds of a single classroom or as part of a more far-reaching district testing program. Within my own experiences, I've been frustrated, though those issues have been exculsivley caused by some combination of different software versions, poorly written/thought-out directions or expectations, or by a simple equipment failure. That being the case, I would be hesitant to employ a new piece or pieces of technology in a classroom until I was both sure of my own ability to troubleshoot it, and the school's ability to provide adequate resources to keep it running smoothly
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I really like the quote of yours about how "if one has access to impressive new technology, the urge to use it without proper forethought could be quite high". Also when you compared it to "looking at a mountain". This is really true of a lot of teachers. Each new peice of equipment seems like it could be really great!...But is such a hassle to actually learn to use and implement that it just becomes another mountain to climb. This is why it is important for us (future teachers, current teachers, etc.) to understand how to EFFECTIVELY use technology. If I dont know how to use some fancy new peice of equipment, then the whole lesson will probably be a huge disaster.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I really enjoyed reading your blog. I particularly liked it when you said that the use of technology should be, "evaluated case by case for an effective fit for your goals and the betterment of your students." I feel this is a powerful statement because, although it is important for children to be able to know how to operate various forms of technology, as teachers, we will have to consider if the technology that we plan to use is truly the best way to teach a particular lesson. I think that the use of technology could be appropriate in many cases, but to use it just "because it is there" is not in the best interest of our students, as you have illustrated. Another important point that you brought up was the idea that using technology in the classroom can be "community building." There is so much truth in this statement. I think it would be great for kids to learn how to use technology as a form of communication. However, I think that children need to learn about being "safe" when it comes to online communication, which would require careful instruction on behalf of the teacher and a certain level of maturity on behalf of the student. Another example of why the use of technology needs to be evaluated on a case-to-case basis.
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