I first realized this just by observing how the undergraduates in some of my classes used technology and how their knowledge of different applications way surpassed mine. They would often mention various things that could be used in classrooms or even technology that they used when they were in school. Their experience with technology in school was completely different from mine. When we were first introduced to computers there was no mouse, we had a green screen with a turtle that was manipulated using the cursor keys. I thought I was so fabulous because I was first kid on my block to get a computer, the Commodore 64. The thing was so user un-friendly that we could not figure out what were supposed to do with it. In middle school we learned how to type by using actual typewriters. (Probably the most irritating thing is to type a report on a typewriter, it never fails that when you get to the bottom of the page, you realize there is a mistake and have to start the page over... ugh!!!!) By the time I hit high school, AOL and dial up is what it was all about, but still not everyone had access at home. There is about a 10 year difference between myself and the undergrads, not really that a huge of a difference, but when you look at how differently they use technology and how it is has changed their learning experience and their everyday life, at times I feel like it is a 30 years difference.
Then I started talking with other graduate students who were already teachers, and they would discuss the various ways in which they would include technology in their classrooms. This is when I got nervous, because prior to starting this program, I had rarely thought to use technology in such a manner. First is because in my schooling experience we never had such tools and second is that half of this stuff I did not even know about. But it makes total sense to incorporate it (whenever it is meaningful), because today the students' lives are so engrossed with technology that it would be a miss to not be using it in school. It is is an effective way to engage students but to also prepare them for their futures in which technology will continue to play a major role. In using Web 2.0, there are so many ways to enhance student learning and allow them to collaborate, communicate, enhance their critical thinking and problem solving skills, in ways that extend beyond the walls of the classroom (Schrum & Levin, 2009).
I found this video interesting. It is from the perspective of students in which they discuss the disconnect between what they are learning and how they are learning it versus what they need to learn and how they want to learn. It is pretty powerful, in that addresses how the traditional approach to education and what is being taught is ineffective in this digital world. Although this video addresses universities, I believe that it applies to all educational institutions.
I really like that you have shared this video.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you feel that in this college course you get to see the technologies that are applicable for your teaching practice today.
I definitely do feel this way. In the first few weeks of this course, I have already been exposed to and made aware of so many different ways to meaningfully use technology. Prior to this course, others did mention how it is important to use technology, but they really did not stress or illustrate the great benefits of using Web 2.0 applications.
DeleteStephanie, love your first post! AOL dial up ah the horror of those days! I use to sit on my computer waiting for the connection to go through just to be kicked off when the phone rang. We certainly have come a long way from those days. In the video you posted, one student said, "They are teaching today using yesterday's tools." The video makes so many great points about the disconnect between teachers and students. One of the students even said "people don't even think that way anymore." Everything becomes outdated when something better comes along and that certainly has happened with education. Unfortunately most teachers are comfortable with the outdated teaching tools. I am so happy that we will be the change the students want to see in education.
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteI feel this class has taught me so much already about the use of technology in classrooms. Throughout my life I was always exposed to the computer such as using the internet to find websites, but I never thought about using all these forms of technology in classrooms. As I experienced my student teaching and observed many classrooms, most of the teachers did not use technology at all. As future educators, it is vital that we start going to workshops and experiment with various forms of technology so we can prepare students for the digital technology world. My major concern is that even though most of the youth is exposed to technology, what about those few who don’t have a computer at home or schools that can’t afford technology in classrooms. I feel that the incorporation of technology has to be a gradually process. I know that in the classroom where I did my student teaching, once a week the students attended a computer elective. Instead of once a week it should be twice a week. This will help students learn more about technology. Once again teachers don’t have to involve everything with technology, but teachers should gradually incorporate it in their lessons.
~Jennifer H.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing that video. I think it truly encapsulates the major issues with education today. Much of the research I have read about why and how school curriculums fail say the same thing: if students can't connect what they are learning (and how they are learning it) to their "real lives", interest wil waver and students will eventually start to feel that school is irrelevant to them. Once that happens, what's the point in staying enrolled?
I believe the true mark of a good teacher is one who finds a way to incorporate and validate the interests and learning styles of all students. It is essential that teachers believe that there is more than just one way for students to demonstrate and exhibit their understanding of concepts. Inviting students to get creative with their work shouldn't be a threat, but should be exciting and invited. I loved that there was a student in the video who asked to create a video in response to a project. We should be embracing these inventive suggestions!
-Felice
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteYou raise such an interesting point. Because the truth is, no matter how tech savvy any of us are, the next year the kids are using or inventing some new technology! As teachers who desire to incorporate technology into our classrooms, we are taking on a task to stay constantly up to date with what is important in the world of technology. It is a scary prospect, but it is necessary if we want to teach our children not only writing, but writing in the modern era! I just hope I can keep up :-)