Keeping Up in the Classroom
Off With the Old and in With the New
Have you recently entered a classroom and found yourself both amazed and confused about the technology being used? I have, and it is this amazement and confusion that has made me want to learn more. Although I was in middle school less than ten years ago, the classroom setting has completely transformed. There are SMART Boards where there were once chalkboards and iPads where there were once desktops. The literacy skills being taught and improved upon remain the same, but the technology being used to effectively teach these skills seems to be in a constant state of change.
Welcoming Change
When I began interning this January, I had to learn about these new technologies and how to best use them in the classroom. As teachers, we must keep up with these ever-changing devices so that our students can learn in the most efficient and effective ways. Another thought to consider is the fact that one of our main goals is to prepare students to be productive members of society. In Jason Koebler's article, "Teachers Use Cell Phones in the Classroom" he interviewed author of the blog, The Innovative Educator, Lisa Nielsen. Nielsen states, "We think school should be preparing students for real life and in real life, people use cell phones...if you're making an artificial world inside the school, you're not preparing them for the real world" (2011). Overall, technology is only going to continue to change in the world. Educators must be willing to learn and use this technology in the classroom to make for better teaching and productive future citizens of society.
https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2011/10/26/teachers-use-cell-phones-in-the-classroom
I agree that as educators we need to find ways to embrace technology so we can send our youth prepared for the world that awaits them. I will say that it makes me a little sad when I walk past classrooms and see every student with their head in either an iPad or Chromebook. I don't think we want to turn out robots. Using tech to promote engagement and active learning is great, I hope we don't go too overboard. It's all about balance. I think you're right when you mention that we are teaching literacy very much the same way we have for years, but with current technology. We need to reinvent what we do and how we do it to truly make today's student multi literate.
ReplyDeleteHi Chelsea!
ReplyDeleteDo you regularly use other types of technology besides the SMART Board in the middle school setting? I teach kindergarten and use mine for almost every subject in some way, shape, or form! My students have access to the SMART Board under my guidance, plus we have 2 student laptops, and the computers that are in our Library Media Center. Other than that, my little guys aren't exposed to much else! I think my students would enjoy and benefit from using educational apps and resources on a tablet of some sort. Maybe one day!
Hi Katie! I am interning in an elementary school, that was just an example. At the school I work at each classroom has a SMART board. In addition to this each classroom has time during the day to work with iPads. Beginning in grade 3, each student has their own Chrome Book that is to be kept in school. Seeing the little ones work with iPads at such a young age is truly amazing. There are some great apps as well. We recently purchased one that allows students to scan a code that links to a specific book. This has been extremely helpful in relieving any book sharing drama! These are great resources that hopefully will be coming your way soon!
DeleteBecause technology is constantly evolving, we are constantly changing our teaching practices. In addition to smartboards and applications we may use on iPads, we are now learning how to use Google Classroom, document cameras, and branching out to social media to keep parents involved with their child's education. In Fairfield, a lot of teachers use twitter to help share moments from their child's day. I happen to like this because I am also able to share the learning that is taking place within my classroom with my administrators and Superintendent. (Sidenote - parents sign a disclosure and are aware of my twitter, so it's all good!).
ReplyDeleteChelsea,
ReplyDeleteI agree, and I feel that it is extremely important for educators to stay up to date on the newest technologies! When we are able to understand how to use these technologies to their full extent, we will be able to better service our students! As our world is becoming more reliant on technology, we definitely need to expose our students to technology! While teaching our students, we need to prepare them for their future that lies ahead. As technology is growing and changing, our views and incorporation of technology should evolve as well.
I too was taken a back when I started my job in a elementary school a few years ago at all the technology and changes that have taken place in the classroom since I was a child. Technology is such integral part of our every day life now so its only natural that it would
ReplyDeletemake its way to the classroom. Its so important as educators that we stay up to date on digital tools and technologies not only for ourselves, but for our students. This way we set them up to be successful in the real world .
I completely agree! I am more amazed when I walk into a classroom and the teacher can not figure out how to work the volume on the SMART board... SMART boards are the new chalk boards and as teacher we must be able to know how to use them and use them effectively. My favorite feature on the SMART board is being able to use a projector and enlarge the picture to the whole class. Just today in kindergarten they used the projector so the whole class could see on the SMART board the little baby chicks hatching. Also the SMART board helps to teach a lesson and makes it easier for the teacher to do so. Just by the click of our hand we can present anything to the students so they all can see!
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting quote that you referenced in your blog! While I definitely see that point of view, it also made me question if allowing the use of cell phones in school will contribute to the lack of etiquette and respect the younger generation seems to have concerning cell phone usage. Younger people tend to have worse eye contact, less engagement in physical conversation, and a strong desire/addiction to stay connected to their phones while engaging in physical activities. I feel that school should be a time to "unplug" in order to practice these important human interaction skills that seem to be lost with the growth of technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree with the quote by Lisa Nielsen. I agree we need to prepare students for the real world by teaching them real word skills. For example how to use a computer and how to use the internet safely. However, her comment about the cell phone and making an artificial world inside the school I do not agree with. A cell phone should never be out at school. You won't have that issue with the younger grades, I hope but I don't think they should be out in high school ever. School should be a safe and enjoyable place for students and a place where they can learn all about different cultures and new information. School does not have to imitate real life because school is not the only thing that should shape a students life.
ReplyDeleteChelsea,
ReplyDeleteI agree! I believe we do have to keep up with these technologies because our students are the future, we can’t hold them back just because WE are the ones that fear change. Our whole purpose as teachers is to create a bright future for our students. When interviewing with schools, one of the questions the principle asked me was how experience I was with SMART boards and other forms of technology. This shows how much of an importance technology has become in the classroom.
Love the post Chelsea!
ReplyDeleteI think what struck me most about your post was the quote you chose to include: "We think school should be preparing students for real life and in real life, people use cell phones..." Growing up in the 90's, the only technology we occasionally used in the classroom were desktop computers. Even in the early 2000's when cell phones were becoming popular, teachers were constantly yelling at students to put them away or would confiscate them. I was completely caught off guard when I started interning this past fall and came to realize how crucial technology now is in education. By pairing the technology students use at home with the technology students have access to in the classroom, the possibilities are endless.
I love that you said that the amazement and confusion makes you want to learn more. I consider myself as a pretty young teacher and I am blown away by some of the technology that is available to us to use in the classroom. There are times when I feel almost intimidated or nervous to ask for help with technology since I am the young one and should be able to figure it out. If given some time, I can usually figure out what I need to, but I feel I shouldn't be intimidated by it but, instead should embrace the new learning. I constantly want things in my classroom updated and in order to do that I need to challenge myself and continue to push myself to learn new practices and new ways to integrate technology.
ReplyDeleteChelsea, I have recently entered a classroom and felt the same way you did. However, I think it is important to acknowledge that some schools are extremely underfunded and I have entered their classrooms feeling both amazed and confused due to their lack of technology. I recently interviewed a teacher from a New Haven public elementary school who explained to me that they only have three desktop computers in their classroom but since the Wi-Fi is not reliable she is unable to use them as much as she wishes. I thought you brought up a great point about preparing students for real life and in real life companies and business are constantly changing and improving their technologies to keep up and stay competitive. So, that raises the question, if schools do not teach their students how to use these new technologies are they disserving them?
ReplyDeleteThis blog comes at an interesting time...today I was in a fifth grade classroom and I was having difficulty with the SmartBoard. I had a number of students kindly guide me to the correct button I needed to press in order to carry on with the lesson. Students are constantly impressing me with their technical knowledge - and without their help, I don't know that I would have be able to fix the issue! I believe in order for students to be productive members of society, they must learn how to successfully navigate technology. As technology advances, it's key that young learners understand and can successfully navigate the use of many devices. I definitely agree that teachers should be keeping up with technology. However, I don't think it should be the primary source of learning and teaching. It's great to incorporate technology in various lessons, but I don't think it should be the center of their entire day at school.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! While interning I find myself spending most of my days helping out the classroom teachers with there classroom technologies. I am constantly showing most of the teachers at my school ways that they could use technology to better their lesson and help their students. I love being able to show them the new world of technologies and their students also appreciate it as well. As teacher we must make sure that we find out the new technologies that we have availability too to help keep our students engaged.
ReplyDelete