I loved when these things were used in class, because they were a welcome break from the norm. Obviously, technology today is much more advanced than before, and it is also developing into being the norm. Think about it- when is the last time you had a day with no cell phone? No computer? No technology at all? I know for me, the last time was when I was living in China, and our electricity had this nasty habit of going out randomly.
In University, my specialization for my Masters was the use of technology in Education. I am a firm believer that technology in the classroom is helpful and interesting for students, and also necessary to better educate our students for the modern and future world.
Now, don't automatically assume that I am against traditional methods of learning. I grew up reading books constantly, as will my (future) children. Children need to experience creativity and imagination, which can occur just as easily on an iPad as it can with a plain cardboard box.
I do think, though, that the future of education is intertwined with the ever-growing and evolving gadgets and gizmos that are coming into the world. Rather than looking at an iPod, and thinking that it is only something for use in a child's free time, we can harness it's amazing power to enrapture students, and use it to our benefit.
Technology in the Classroom
Here are some ideas for using different pieces of technology for learning. (For Teachers)Digital Camera
- Picture Alphabet- A for apple (take a picture of an apple)- Capture memories from a field trip
- Find examples of things discussed in science (rocks, clouds, track growth of something)
- Take pictures of students, photoshop their faces onto pictures of doing different careers
- Have students take random pictures, then give to another student to write about
- Have students scan and email their stories and essays to family and friends.
- Write pen pal letters- much faster responses than snail mail!
- Ask questions of famous people (first, email said famous person to see if they will respond)
-Easily provide each student with a copy of pictures from a field trip
iPod/iPad
- Listen to audio books
- Play on learning applications
- Do a gap fill exercise with song lyrics, can be used to discuss grammar, vocabulary, or author's (singers) intent
- Read books (Project Gutenberg)
- Voice Recorder- record student reading out loud
Computer
- Scan pages of a student's story, then add music and pictures in powerpoint.
- Learn on websites (multiplication.com)
- WebQuest (follow a set of instructions to find information)
- Compare research findings (have all students research one thing, then look at everyone;s results. This teaches about how the info on the internet isn't always correct)
- Typing games! Some say it is more important to learn to type, than it is to write...
Movies
- Create short videos, upload to Youtube
- BrainPop (short videos about different subjects)- Check, your county may have a subscription!
- Let students borrow movies from your classroom movie library. These may be videos that have nothing to do with school. Students take the movie home, but also have to complete some sort of exercise to go with it. (This is something I cannot wait to do!!)
Learning Online
Switching from traditional classroom learning to online learning. (For Parents)
My first interaction with online learning was in grad school, when we all had mini-internships with Florida Virtual School, which is an online school that caters to all of Florida. The style of the class depended on the subject. Some courses were constructed like normal lessons, with daily or weekly class times, constructed via video calling. Others, had students reading and finishing activities at their own paces, and the teacher giving feedback when she received things.
Out of the two styles, the first is definitely better for the majority of students. It simulates the normal classroom environment, and the students know what they need to do, and when they need to do it. They have regular contact with the teacher.
The second really can only be used on self-motivated students. I had courses like this in college, and they were difficult enough for a young adult. Imagine telling a student they have 10 assignments they need to complete, but not having daily contact with them to push for the completion of them. Since these students did not have to meet with their teacher at a pre-scheduled time, apparently, the times when they did connect with the teachers were varied and awkward. My mentor teacher told me all about her experiences with students calling her at 1am on Christmas morning- no thank you! This method does work for some, but this is an example of a parent really needing to be involved with the students learning.
As an online teacher, I definitely see the benefits of it. Students have an opportunity to learn, possibly one they would never had previously had. Students feel more comfortable in their learning, and feel more in control of it all. I will be the first person to admit, though, that it is not for every student. If your student is easily distracted, especially by the internet, being online for awhile, learning and not being able to switch over a fun website will be very difficult for them. Before switching your child's learning from classroom based to online, give them a little test. Ask them to research something for 30 minutes, and see how they do. Do they copy and paste Wikipedia? Do they switch from a search site to Myspace when they think you do not notice? Or do they manage to research the whole time?
Remember, online learning is fun for students, but that interest can die out quickly, since they do not have the motivation of other students and a teacher. If you are having your child learn online for all his/her lessons, then you, as a the parent needs to be very involved in the learning.
"One day robots will take all of our jobs"
For teaching, I don't think this is true. Sure, students learn a lot if they Google something or read a textbook. But they cannot learn everything, and texts and videos only explain things so much. I have tried to explain things to students 10 different ways, and they didn't get it. Then, explanation #11 made everything clear to them. A robot or book cannot do that!Teachers and Parents, remember this- just because you provide a student with information, doesn't mean they understand. If they don't, they are not going to learn things that come after, either because they are so frustrated about not understanding that they cannot focus, or whatever they are doing second actually requires understanding of the first thing. It is worth it to spend extra time explaining (no matter how much it frustrates us).
What sets us apart from robots is our ability to care, and that's what it comes down to with learning. Students learn from us, because we care about them, and them about us. Add technology into a child's learning, but even for all it's attractiveness, do not think it replaces your caring.
What are your thoughts/experiences with technology in education?
No comments:
Post a Comment