Here is the link to the first article I chose: http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-digital-learner-technology-2008.
This article is about digital learners. The author, Marc Prensky, is a speaker, writer, and educational consultant. In the article, he is basically trying to persaude educators to embrace technology in order to meet students' needs. He implies that it isn't that students aren't willing to learn--they are just craving to learn in an environment they are familiar with. The author does a great job of expressing students' dissatisfaction with the classes where the teacher has been unwilling or unable to incorporate technology. I thought it was interesting that one student referred to a teacher-made PowerPoint slideshow as the equivalent of writing on a chalkboard.
There are so many good articles out there that I got side-tracked for hours reading some of the current trends in instructional technology today. I chose this article because I think that one of the most important roles of the technology coordinator is to promote innovative technology and to be an advocate of emerging technology in the classroom. If we can't make the case for technology, we may not get very far in our school systems. Even as a computer teacher, I found that over the years I have not been willing to think outside the box. I had clearly defined in my mind what technology should be used in school and what technology should be used outside of school for entertainment purposes.
I'm happy to say that my frame of mind has completely changed on this. Sadly, I am afraid that as I try to venture more into this territory, I will run into roadblocks. My county has quite a few policies relating to how teachers can use "outside" technology. One example is that we are not allowed to have our own teacher websites. We can only have a website through our school website, using the software our county selected. The software program (NovusEd) is not user-friendly so no one ends up doing this. I was hoping to start a blog for my classes soon; however, I think I will be told that I can't. It is hard to believe and a little discouraging. When I was an instructional technology coordinator over the last two years, I spent most of my time trying to teach the teachers how to use software and equipment that already existed in their classrooms. Now, I really wish I had spent more time asking questions and challenging what I am now perceiving as almost an anti-technology attitude in our county.
I am posting a link to a video that you may have seen before. It goes hand in hand with this article and also would be a great way to motivate both teachers and administrators to reach our digital learners.
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The video you posted was very interesting. I enjoyed reading about all the statistics because it really opened my eyes to how digital these students really are. I am a little skeptical about the use of cell phones to teach. Maybe, because I apply what I hear and read to third graders and that is just to improbable to happen anytime soon with 8 and 9 year olds. I guess this would be more likely at a high school or college level, but still a little unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteThe article was very fascinating. I love the idea of getting student input about the use of technology. I would have never thought of that, but it makes perfect sense. The students that we are teaching are “digital learners” and can be actively engaged with the proper use of technology integrated into their learning.
I found this article very interesting and enlightening. As an advocate for student participation as well as technology in the classroom, I love the idea of the students having input. I also like the idea of the students possibly creating expectations for their teachers concerning the use of technology in the classroom. As the students become more aware and comfortable with technology, the classroom should also become just as aware and comfortable so that it is reaching the students as best as it can.
ReplyDeleteI am very sad to hear that your county has so many limits to the types of technology that can be used in your school. Hopefully they will one day soon see the benefits to including all types of technology in the classroom (even those that are from the outside).