Recently I have had quite a few debates over technology in education. It seems like the teachers who grew up with computers are in favor of integrating technology, specifically computers, more and more into their lessons. Most, and this does not mean all, teachers who are not as familiar with computers seem to be comfortable with the whiteboard approach to teaching. Now, I understand that after teaching for multiple years, many of us get stuck in a familiar routine and do not like to switch up the lessons as much as we should. But let's think back to the college days where we were learning all the teaching strategies that work best. Then think back to the first few years of teaching when everything was new and you were trying out new methods....
One method that always worked was engaging the students somehow. In this day and age, students are even more familiar with computers than any of us are. They spend hours a day on the computer instead of watching tv. If they show this much interest in the computer, shouldn't we modify some of our lessons to incorporate it? Whenever we can increase a student's interest level in the activity or some portion of the lesson, there is more of a chance they will learn more that day. So I say let's integrate computers into our lessons as much as possible! Student's will be more engaged and more interested right from the start! Even if the transition is hard, we know that they will be more excited to learn that day when compared to the whiteboard days. It's something different for us, but familiar and exciting to them, so let's hop on the bandwagon and give it a try! What do you say?
Now more specifically, teacher based websites on the computers will help us and our students tremendously. By having a website with contact information, homework, grades, ect., students do not need to contact you as often and know where to look for assistance. The time that goes into making a webpage will be worth it! Your students will not be emailing you asking your homework or what the grading criteria is for a project because it will all be on your website! Talk about easy! And since students are already on their computers during their free time, you can suggest making your webpage one of their favorite links on the side of their computer. This way they will remember to check for homework, ect., since they are already on their computer! There are no excuses for students now to not be on top of things because they hear you reminding them in class of what to do and can double check at home on your webpage!
Now do you need any more convincing that using a computer, specifically a webpage, is not worth it? I hope not!
If you need help creating a webpage I will help you, just respond to this blog!
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I think you have transcended into the “I’ve got it” mode! Computers can be great assets. Do we not use them because someone doesn’t have access? One person out of 10 what is the breakeven point? Should we even look at it that way? What about equal education? Why would we not want to advance our strategies? Maybe as you’ve said our time would be freed up to create and update lessons. The difference between the haves and the have not’s is an ongoing problem but should not deter us from using what we have when it is available to us.
ReplyDeleteI think that computers and technology in the classroom is important and something that all teachers should now be intergrating into their classrooms. Unfortantly like you said, some teachers are afraid to try new things, but this is not helping our students in the long run, a good teacher needs to grow with their students, and there is nothing wrong with learning with and from your students! Our students can now teach us a thing or two about using the computer as a teaching tool and the importance that technology plans in their daily lives. I believe the students need the hands on work with the computer, and they recieve more concrete vast examples beyond a textbook and white board, very few students benefit from a classroom set up with teaching based off the white boards. Technology continues to have such a big impact in our lives, we should find ways to really help us and promote the positive usage of it in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea of posting assignments and grades on a website. As long as confidentiality is a priority, it really helps parents keep track of their kids. It's very uncomfortable to tell a parent their child has failed for a marking period when there hasn't been any previous contact. A website, similar to SHU's, would allow complete transparency in the grade department and take a lot of pressure off of teachers.
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