20th November 2015
Why should we use technology in the classroom and when shouldn't we?
In the 21st century I think it is essential to introduce appropriate technology into the classroom as soon as possible and to teach children how to use it properly. Just because children, adolescents or adults own technology such as smart phones, IPads etc., doesn't mean that they know how to use them effectively, or that they are "digitally literate". There are different definitions of "digital literacy", the Youtube clip "Teaching digital literacy skills" defines it as "the ability to navigate, evaluate and create information". It goes on to point out that access to technology used to be a privilege, but now it is a requirement for success in every field, in the same way the ability to read and write is.
Stripling (2010) says digital literacy means that "students must be able to gather information from any format and, more importantly, make sense of that information, use it, and communicate it to others" (cited by Roblyer et al 2014, p. 289). Now when a person enters the workforce is is assumed they are able to use current technology "responsibly and thoughtfully".
"Transliteracy" as discussed in the Guardian article "20 ways of thinking about digital literacy in higher education" (2012) is a person's ability to "read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media". Studying this degree online is a good example of this, right now I am using a blog to write my opinion of this topic, which I will share with others whom I allow access, all my assignments will the written in Word or via a blog and submitted online. I will access all academic material online through the online library or google scholar searches. I will communicate with my peers through online forums or live chats and as part of this subject I will explore new technologies to use in the classroom.
I am an English teacher, as such one of my roles is to teach students to "make meaning from texts" (Roblyer et al p. 290), also to research information online, produce written work in Word, as well as teach students the contents of the syllabus teachers like me need to also teach students to be 21st century digitally literate (Roblyer et al p. 290).
When shouldn't we use technology in the classroom?
I watched the Youtube clip "Silicon Valley school with no computers" about the Waldorf School of the Peninsula, a primary and high school which uses no technology at all in the classroom, it boasts that its students do exceptionally well, although they do not participate in standardised testing so there is no way to compare the performance of these students to students in other schools. I can understand the rationale behind this as I think that young people in particular at too dependent on technology today and social media has replaced physical social interaction to a large extent and there are real issues with online bullying. Young people are also exposed to negative and dangerous material online as they have access to unlimited and uncensored material on the Internet. I noted that the children at this school are mostly from families where their parents work in ICT so you would assume that they have access to technology at home, but are their parents teaching them how to use it properly? Even if they do not eventually they will be exposed to technology at college, university or the workplace where they will be expected to know how to use it in the ways I described earlier, so I imagine they would be at a considerable disadvantage.
I suppose the answer is the extent to which technology is used in the classroom, technology will never replace a good teacher and while it's important for students need to learn how to use technology properly, it is also important for them to learn when not to use it. So instead of messaging their mate or chatting online, call and talk on the phone, or better still, meet up face to face.
Why should we use technology in the classroom and when shouldn't we?
In the 21st century I think it is essential to introduce appropriate technology into the classroom as soon as possible and to teach children how to use it properly. Just because children, adolescents or adults own technology such as smart phones, IPads etc., doesn't mean that they know how to use them effectively, or that they are "digitally literate". There are different definitions of "digital literacy", the Youtube clip "Teaching digital literacy skills" defines it as "the ability to navigate, evaluate and create information". It goes on to point out that access to technology used to be a privilege, but now it is a requirement for success in every field, in the same way the ability to read and write is.
Stripling (2010) says digital literacy means that "students must be able to gather information from any format and, more importantly, make sense of that information, use it, and communicate it to others" (cited by Roblyer et al 2014, p. 289). Now when a person enters the workforce is is assumed they are able to use current technology "responsibly and thoughtfully".
"Transliteracy" as discussed in the Guardian article "20 ways of thinking about digital literacy in higher education" (2012) is a person's ability to "read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media". Studying this degree online is a good example of this, right now I am using a blog to write my opinion of this topic, which I will share with others whom I allow access, all my assignments will the written in Word or via a blog and submitted online. I will access all academic material online through the online library or google scholar searches. I will communicate with my peers through online forums or live chats and as part of this subject I will explore new technologies to use in the classroom.
I am an English teacher, as such one of my roles is to teach students to "make meaning from texts" (Roblyer et al p. 290), also to research information online, produce written work in Word, as well as teach students the contents of the syllabus teachers like me need to also teach students to be 21st century digitally literate (Roblyer et al p. 290).
When shouldn't we use technology in the classroom?
I watched the Youtube clip "Silicon Valley school with no computers" about the Waldorf School of the Peninsula, a primary and high school which uses no technology at all in the classroom, it boasts that its students do exceptionally well, although they do not participate in standardised testing so there is no way to compare the performance of these students to students in other schools. I can understand the rationale behind this as I think that young people in particular at too dependent on technology today and social media has replaced physical social interaction to a large extent and there are real issues with online bullying. Young people are also exposed to negative and dangerous material online as they have access to unlimited and uncensored material on the Internet. I noted that the children at this school are mostly from families where their parents work in ICT so you would assume that they have access to technology at home, but are their parents teaching them how to use it properly? Even if they do not eventually they will be exposed to technology at college, university or the workplace where they will be expected to know how to use it in the ways I described earlier, so I imagine they would be at a considerable disadvantage.
I suppose the answer is the extent to which technology is used in the classroom, technology will never replace a good teacher and while it's important for students need to learn how to use technology properly, it is also important for them to learn when not to use it. So instead of messaging their mate or chatting online, call and talk on the phone, or better still, meet up face to face.
I think you asked a good question with are parents teaching children to use technology properly? The likely answer is no. But is it completely their fault? Parents need to be educated just like our students. Most parents are digital immigrants and trying to learn along with their kids but at a much slower rate. Is it the school's responsibility to educate parents as well now?
ReplyDeleteTechnology usage should always be considered when meaningful and authentic. There is a place and time for using technology but teachers need to identify when that time exists and when it does not.