Using technology can motivate and keep student's attention sometimes more effectively than practice sheets and textbooks. In the video Digital Youth Portrait, Sam, they discussed how she can use teamwork and problem solve. (Bidleman, 2009) She is using higher level thinking without the use of a textbook, or taking notes. Many times when students use computer games or simulations they are problem solving and transferring information to the classroom, but they are also designing, planning and evaluating, again, using higher -order thinking.
Integrating technology is beneficial in the classroom. While there are some pitfalls, this is a digital world, if we want to prepare children for the workplace, allow them to be successful, and stay in school, then teaching using simulations, tutorials or allowing them to design software, and it will encourage these students to do their best. They have nothing to lose because they are not afraid to make mistakes, because they can always go back and fix them when using technology. This was a point made in the video Schools Use of Games for Learning and Assessment. (Ellis, 2007). I also liked how this video stated that students go into it as novices, and leave being experts. That is a powerful and true statement.
The pitfalls from what I have seen can be some programs are confusing on how to get out of them, students may not be retaining the information, and as the teacher, it is hard to give one to one help and see when students are doing math practice what their thought process is when paper and pencil is not used. I would like to believe these skills learned on the computer or ipod, whatever technology you are using, have to be able to be transferred to real life and the classroom. Our textbook, Integrating Technology into Teaching discussed the issue with students learning a certain way to solve a problem or some other skill, and it be something different than what you are teaching in class. (Roblyer, 2010). We don't want to cause more confusion. I also worry about online bullying or texting, ( our district has had this issue), or if they are finding inappropriate websites. There have been times when researching on youtube different science videos, that something will pop up that my students should not see.
It is difficult as we move through the digital age to find the appropriate ways to use technology, but I think it should be more widely used. Many schools do not have access to technology or it is sparse between grades, so integrating can be difficult, but I think students will be more motivated and interested in school if it was more widely promoted and used in the classroom.
Resources used
Bidleman, C. (Producer). (2009). Digital youth portrait: sam. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-profile-sam-video .
Ellis, K. (Producer). (2007). Schools use of games for learning and assessment. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/computer-simulations-games-virtual-learning-video.
Roblyer, M.D, & Doering, A.H. (2010). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching, Boston: Pearson Education Inc.
Hi Tami,
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of the points that you mention in your blog. I believe that it is important for educators to utilize instructional software in order to help students develop higher order thinking skills. Also, because we are living and functioning in a digital world, technology can be used to prepare students for the workplace and for life outside of the classroom. Ultimately, it is important for educators to understand that integrating technology into the classroom can be fairly simple and that they should not be afraid to do so. As digital natives, today’s students have the opportunity to learn many real-life skills from the use of instructional software and technology in the classroom.