Technology taking over the classroom

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keeley Knowles on January 4, 2013 at 6:52am

Striking a balance. Yes. And actually talking (and listening, arguing, compromising, sharing, valuing, respecting, helping and so on), to other people. I agree with you, Colin.

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Permalink Reply by David Antrobus on January 17, 2013 at 1:45pm

Hi Melissa, I tried doing one of my observation classes with a prezi presentation and loads of youtube videos and I forgot to actually talk with the students. I made the mistake of thinking if I used technology this would keep the students interested in what I was teaching. After 15 mins they lost interest. I forgot to actually engage them in the learning and ask them questions. Allow them  to drive the lesson, at the end of the day it was there lesson not mine. I think technology has to assist the teaching not replace it and I have returned to the old fashioned board and pen and finding it works well. I do think though that setting up a classroom blog and resource  page could have benefits.

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Permalink Reply by Lucy D Roberts on January 18, 2013 at 12:08pm

Hi Melissa,

There is a total lack of technology in my current placement, but thinking about it, there is a lack of technology generally, especially as we have the equipment, but the teachers I work with don't make use of it. The main focus of lessons is to watch demonstrations by the tutor, then for students to go off and use the materials. We do have computers which the students use to help with research and recording their findings, and of course they have their mobile phones, but I can't say that I have seen any lesson I've been in where tutors are giving a lesson using the available technology. I am talking mainly about fine art classes, but it highlights that maybe we are missing a trick here to enhance the learning experience. That's one to give some thought to for my next session!

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Esch on February 16, 2013 at 5:35pm

Hi Lissa,

I really enjoy integrating technology into the classroom, although I view it as a tool rather than a end-all or something that should complete replace pens, paper, whiteboards, etc.

In the past, however, I've worked for an educational foundation that funded workshops for high school students in rural areas.  Part of the reason the foundation did this was because the school would not/could not teach students the process of applying to college, teach them the technological tools they would need to be successful in college, etc.  We found that some of this had to do with lack of resources (in one county, the largest computer lab throughout the county had only 12 computers and they were all ancient).

We also found some of it had to do with "local politics" and the background/level of education of a lot of the leaders in the communities.  Some never went to college, some were farmers, some did not feel there should be a library, didn't think students should ever go to college, etc. - because they never had or did those things.

I think there were times when the teachers who wanted to integrate technology or work towards changing the culture finally gave up because of the resistance.  And I think there were times when there were teachers and school leaders who were part of the problem.

I think it will be interesting to see how education will look when the first generation who truly grew up only knowing life with the internet, iPads, smart phones, etc. takes over leadership roles.

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