I think it's pretty much common sense that a one to one computing program is only as effective as the teacher in charge of it. Obviously there's a lot of things children can learn on computer; an infinite amount of things really, but children, and espeically young children must be guided through the learning by someone more knowledgable than them if we expect them to actually explore things that will use their higher order thinking skills and help them learn. You wouldn't sit a five year old down in front of a math paper and tell him to just teach himself, with no further instruction, so why would any teacher think that they could do that with a computer?
I'd say the biggest thing that struck me with this article is when it talked about one class of seventh graders who'd gotten laptops for every one in class, but by the end of the year didn't even use them anymore. Not only is that sad for financial reasons (laptops are so expensive! how can you spend all that money just to have them gather dust), but mostly because all of those kids are missing out on great learning experiences because their teacher didn't know to integrate the teachnology well enough. I understand that trying to incorporate laptops into the classroom every day would be a challenge, especially if a teacher were used to not having it, but what better excuse to expand your horizons and try new approaches to teaching?
Of course I'm still not sure exactly how I plan to bring technology into my future classroom, especially working with young children like I plan to, but reading this article definately gives me motivation to try and really make my classroom special. I don't want to be a teacher who lets any learning experiences go to waste, especially great opportunities like one on one computers for each of my students.
I agree that in order for student to be successful with using technology they must be taught how to use it the right way first. Like you said, not many young children are able to figure out technology without somebody guiding them along. That is a great point, if a teacher has the resources then they should definatly take advantage of it. Especially with something as useful as a laptop so it is important that teachers find a way to impliment what technoligies they have into their classroom. As a teacher it is important to educate our students as best as possible and incorporating technolgy is a big part of that. Technology is a great tool for teachers so we need to make sure we use them.
ReplyDeleteI like your motivation to learn how to use technology to better your future students' learning experiences. I'm completely unprepared (well.. definitely more prepared after this class.. but still) to utilize all the technologies that are beneficial in a classroom. However, I know with time and practice that will change. It is so important for us as future educators to learn about these ever-changing inventions to better our classroom experience and enhance our students' learning.
ReplyDeleteI am so for motivation. We can share ideas :)
ReplyDeletebut as for gathering dust; I'd like to mention that the public school in my town has had laptops for a few years now and I feel it is an awesome experience except the teachers are like the ones in the article. All the students do is use them for games, social media, and a little bit of microsoft word, powerpoints and google/web searching. This is a perfect example of why we the future of education need to learn more about technology in the classroom so time is not wasted. I mean good for you you got your students laptops because of a grant; but are you the teacher using them educationally?!
I cannot believe that they stopped using such a beneficial tool for learning! That is why it is so important for teachers to learn how to use the technology in their classrooms to prepare their students, and themselves for learning experiences. I am also motivated to learn and explore so that I can use these things in my classroom!
ReplyDelete