Technology is a serious issue to be concerned about. The tricky thing is we have to embrace it as well as not get too close. We can't not use technology, and we can't use it for everything. As teachers we have to find a balance among the two. If we don't find this balance, we will not benefit our kids in the best way possible.
We cannot shy away from technology it is such a great tool we have as teachers. We cannot be afraid of all the new things that come out each month or the unknowns. The more we are afraid or scared to try new things the more technology will pass us by, that is not good for anyone.
The discussion we had on technology really surprised me. I had no idea that people felt so strongly for or against technology. It really made me think about all the strengths and weaknesses that the internet and technology in general. I hadn't really thought of technology as a bad thing before our discussion. Then, I kept thinking, how far do we go with technology? It has to be pretty easy to go overboard in technology. Sr. Regina Marie made a valid point about manipulatives. Certain kids have to use their hands. We talk all the time that students learn differently and have different needs. But, we talk about technology like it is some answer to every single students prayers. Well, it isn't. Technology might not work for every student and we have to keep that in mind.
ED460 Personal and Social Well Being is a course taken by college students in education during their student teaching semester. Topics covered include: poverty, child abuse, bullying, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, counselors' role in school, adolescents and choices, and the use of technology.
I agree about the need for balance in our use of technology. About the need of some students for hands-on learning, it's good to point out that technology can fill this need in some cases and can't in other cases. It doesn't seem very hands-on for a student to work with manipulatives on the computer rather than with the objects themselves. At the same time, many teachers use technology like Promethean Boards so that the students can come up to the front of the room and do "hands-on" practice with whatever the lesson is on. I guess it's just a matter of finding out which form of "hands-on" is better in different situations.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about how I did not think of technology as a bad thing until this discussion we had in class. It is good to be aware of both sides and how it can be positine and negative in our classroom. I also agree how virtual manipulatives defeat the entire purpose of what manipulatives are all about. They are not very hands-on for the student if they are looking at them on a screen and dragging them. This is where teachers need to draw the line when it comes to some aspects. We need to make sure technology is not taking away the purpose and the learning from the student.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by the tech. discussion too. People were getting all sorts of fired up. But I agree with Sr., she is right students need to learn with their hands, not a computer screen. I think if we as teacher rely on computers only, we are in deep trouble. If we live by that motto, next thing we know there will no reason to have teachers. They will create some sort of robot teacher or software that replaces us. We need a good balance of both.
ReplyDeleteI made similar comments in my blog as well about our classroom discussion. I like how the middle school technology coordinator sat in and listened to our comments and she said she could listen to us talk all afternoon. The truth is, there is no right answer. She coordinates the technology for 409 and probably feels very strongly about the benefits that it can have for students. And her storie and our own personal stories cannot deny that technology can be very beneficial. What it comes down to is how the teacher implements it and how often.
ReplyDeleteYou said it perfectly. Balance of technology is the key to student success. Students are growing up using technology, so as teachers we cannot throw what they have grown up with out of the window, we need to work with it.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is going to be a great resource for us as teachers. Some of our students are going to excel beyond we ever thought with the use of technology. However, some kiddos may suffer from it. As teachers we need to keep our eyes and ears open to new ideas about technology so we can help all of our students.
I found our technology discussion very stimulating too. Personally, I tend not to use a great deal of technology in my lessons. I use some though. Partly, that is because I do not know how to use a lot of technological things. Some of the programs in the discussion I had never heard of. I am slow with some programs I do know how to use, though I have improved. Technology is a struggle at times for me, but I will try to use it. Maybe I should've been born Amish or something.
ReplyDeleteOh Margaret, look at you changing the color of your font. How techy of you! I think you bring up a great point. Technology cannot take the place of the teacher. We need to know when it is appropriate and when it is just too much. I think as an elementary teacher you will be able to do so much with technology. For those younger students, I think technology can be a huge motivation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that we do need to find a balance and be sure not to use technology twenty-four-seven. I also agree that we need to stay up-to-date with the technology and not shy away from it when new technology comes out, since it can be a great tool for teachers. The discussion was surprising, but I found it extremely interesting and enjoyed listening to everyone's different viewpoints. I believe that the best way to handle the situation is to just find that balance. Good luck with your student teaching!
ReplyDelete