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.
I love this post! When thinking about my own personal stance on technology, I find that I go back and forth a lot. There are so many great programs being developed that can really assist students in their musical education. Just the fact that the internet offers instant access to every kind of music is a HUGE deal. Imagine being a teacher before the internet. You had to own a CD or tape to play an example......... Funny thought, life without YouTube.
ReplyDeleteYour list of DOs and DONT's is wonderful.
I guess one advantage to teaching music is that - in ensembles at least - I shouldn't have to worry about technology unless I'm using it or a student is using it inappropriately. How can one text and play the tuba at the same time?
I love your DO's and DONT's. I agree with you that as teachers we need to be able to adapt to a changing world and be able to embrace the technology in way that invites the students into the classroom not as the ONLY part of the lesson but as an integrated enhancement to the learning process. I think about my experience more than twenty years ago in high school and how much more my learning could have been enhanced if the technology had been available.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your posting about not using technology just for technology's sake. I've heard of districts who purchased I-pads just because it was the "in" thing to do. I-pads are GREAT, but no teachers knew how to use them. Nathan Smith, the director of the YETC, was telling me that that's like putting the cart before the horse. When technology is most valuable is when teachers have a need and technology enables them to fill that need.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your posting! I want to reference these do's and don'ts when we wrap up digital literacy when we get back.
Have a great spring break!
So, something tells me that you post was in response to my last post... Either way I liked your post, and I liked what you said about using technology for the sake of using technology. I can see myself falling into that trap. I love technology, but I want to do good things with it. I think you are right when you say you have to monitor students because they can get off task.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insights.