Leu, O’Byrne, Zawilinski, McVerry, and Everett-Cacopardo (2009) discuss how arguably the most influential technology in the 21st century is the Internet. The researchers are looking for unique and feasible ways to integrate technology into schools. As teachers we use the internet to research new philosophies, observe trends in student success, discover new curricula, and to engage students in abstract new ways. For example, I use the internet in collaboration with the Smartboard constantly in my teaching. As we read a Weekly Reader, I sometimes log online and pull up an electronic student page. Smartboard technologies allow me to choose students to come up to the board and touch unfamiliar words that are read electronically over the speaker system. With the tap of my finger, suddenly the screen will play a corresponding non-fiction video clip. Morning Meeting is aided by interactive and educational rap songs; student projects are presented via PowerPoint. School wide behavior initiatives are created using video cameras and iMovie. The movies are played in classrooms and then are posted on YouTube for families to revisit at home.
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The opportunities with technology are endless, but there are teachers who have Smartboards in their classrooms and simply do not use them. They have taught without the technology for years, and are unsure how to use the new resources. It is an understandably scary proposition to change what has worked by jumping feet first into a technology trend. This ties directly into the researcher’s discussion of what students should understand of the internet. Do the lines of reading for information versus entertainment get blurred? Aren’t the same concepts being covered? Is change necessary?
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The C's of Change addresses the change that has occurred between the 20th and 21st centuries. The writer of this article feels that that there unfortunately has been limited change in classrooms over the years. I disagree. What about iPads that are now making their way into schools? It is incredible to watch entire classes of first graders independently do math and word work on an iPad provided by the school district. The children know how to instantly jump from electronic Base Ten Blocks to reading ebooks similar to the computerized Tumble Books. This new type of technology is extremely forward thinking, and is easily just as important as a classroom Smartboard.
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Digital storytelling, as described by Tom Banaszewski, can be used to add visual dimension to a child’s writing, and build community in a classroom as the students work together to create a multimedia presentation.
The C’s of Change raises concerns over internet safety for children. In elementary schools, all internet use by students is monitored extremely closely. Computer lab moderators have the controls to take over a student’s mouse on the screen, and students are instructed to only go on their grade level website with curriculum related links on it. As I teach, students independently leave in the middle of their work to complete individually leveled Extra Math on computers at the back of the classroom. I can easily see while I am teaching that the child is on task and viewing appropriate content. So while internet safety is an extremely important concern, with appropriate blocking and monitoring it can be a fabulous tool! In my opinion, schools today have moved far beyond the novelty of teaching about a new technology, to a time where we actively teach with and use the technology as an integral part of our everyday function.
As teachers we can use Horizon reports (2011 & 2010) to keep updated on upcoming technologies that will be relevant for use in the classroom. The changes are endless, and I am excited to see what will be implemented next!
Hello Anne Marie, you are fortunate to be working in a school where the technology is effectively integrated into the learning process. The description presented in The C's of Change might not be true for your school. Do you think it applies to other schools? You even note that many teachers are not using Smartboards effectively. In addition, iPads and tablets have yet to be adopted wide-scale. Your comments about digital storytelling are precise. Is much being done in your school with this form of communication?
ReplyDeleteHello Anne Marie, I came across this article today about tablets and iPads: http://bit.ly/ywDGC1 The article addresses issues, roadblocks, etc. regarding tablets in schools, including the iPad. You mentioned a couple of these in class already, but thought you would want to read the article. Would be interested in your response to the article. The title of the article is "The Truth About Tablets: Educators are Getting iPads and ereaders into Students’ Hands—But It’s Not Easy"
ReplyDeleteI want to be in your class! Where was all this when I was in school. What you are doing in your class is amazing and an incredible opportunity for you as a teacher to have access to all this technology. My department had great access to technology and it is fun to be able to intergrate it into the classroom. I find the students to be more engaged. My students ask, "what fun things are we doing today." I love how you use the Smartboard as an interactive board. I have not used ours to the fullest yet. I still have not found a program to use on the high school level but I also have not looked to intensly yet. I work with many teachers who have not used their SMartBoard besides putting up a stagnet PowerPoint. I always think, how much more fun they would have if they "spiced" it up with something else. You have a great way of writing and sharing your thoughts, thanks for sharing them.
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