After reading another blog post of a fellow classmate on technology in the classroom I have decided to write my post about the same thing, realizing that I have slightly different opinions. I am a firm believer that the use of technology is inevitable in our society and that even if we tried to keep it out of the classroom it would never work. So I have thought of a list of Do's and Don'ts when it comes to using technology in the classroom.
DOS
1. Give students clear instruction on when using technology is allowed.
2. Integrate technology into as many assignments as possible.
3. Make sure you are up to date on current technology.
4. Teach your students about new technology and how it will help them in the future.
5. Allow students to teach you about new forms of technology that you may not know.
DON'TS
1. Allow students free reign when it comes to technology.
2. Expect students to never use technology in class.
3. Put technology off as a "phase".
4. Use technology just for the sake of using technology.
Each of these dos and don'ts, if followed, I believe can lead to a very successful education for students. Technology is a great thing but it can also be a great downfall. I think the most important of the items on my list is to give students clear instruction about when it is appropriate to use technology. If students are given free reign over their technology it will most likely become more of a hindrance to the class than a help. I have seen in classes that I have taught in high schools, that as soon as a student pulls out their phone they zone out of the lesson. Because of this I think it is important to be clear about what technology is appropriate and when it is appropriate. If you can successfully pull off this step I think it will lead to being successful in integrating technology into your classroom.
As someone who works with electronics in my day job, I see the good and bad that can come from technology. I have always been wary about using technology in the classroom because of the risks it brings with it of students getting distracted and off task. However, I think there are so many things that students can learn through technology. I also think that a lot of students are probably more comfortable writing in a more relaxed way on a computer because that is how they live out most of their lives. Even I spend the majority of my time during the day using technology. My phone is my planner, my textbooks, my dictionary, my atlas. For almost everything that I need throughout the day I can use my phone. If there is something that I can't do on my phone I can find a way to do it on the computer.
Our world is moving more and more into the technological age and I think it is pertinent to a students education to learn about technology. Both about what new things are coming out and how to use the technology that is provided to accomplish great things. I think that if we empower students with the knowledge of technology, it will give them many more opportunities in the future.
