By: Amanda Lazaro
The History of Technology Through The Ages
I have been lucky enough to grow up in the age of technology. I have been able to see how far we have come and the advancements in technology. When I was in elementary school, computers/laptops were just becoming popular in the classrooms. I remember around fifth/sixth grade my school had just got a laptop cart which was one cart that had 25 laptops on it and this would be used for the ENTIRE school (teachers would hope that it would be available when they would want to use it). This was the start of the technology craze, it was before any kind of ipad or tablet was invented and even before the iphone had come out.
Fast forward a little over 10 years later…
Now working in elementary schools today in most districts you can walk into a classroom and see at least one maybe two chromebook carts for the classroom to use as they need. I have also worked in districts that have the ability to give each student a personal chromebook to take home or a tablet/ipad. So much has changed in the classroom during this short period of time that makes me if sometimes it is too much
Having the ability to do field work placements in 5 different districts in both urban and suburban school has really opened my eyes to the possibility of what technology can do to benefit a classroom. I have been in classrooms where the school could only afford a chromebook cart per grade level and I have also been in classrooms where they are completely paperless and rely completely on technology. Being able to see both ends of technology I have been able to see the benefits of having a technology reliant classroom but is there a point where technology is too much and completely taking over our lives? There are countless benefits to having smartboards and chromebooks and online books in the classroom but what happens when one of those things breaks down? Technology can be amazing but also, at times, unreliable. I have witnessed technology reliant classrooms completely shut down because either the smartboard stops working or something like the wifi shuts down for some reason and the teachers have no idea how to continue a lesson because they are so reliant on technology. This is why I feel like technology can add so much value to our classrooms but I also feel as though teachers need to make sure they have balanced classroom.
We have only seen the beginning of what technology can bring into our classrooms and so much more is to come in the future. I want to make sure that I do not become overwhelmed by it and do not want to rely on it but use it to enhance my classroom to help benefit my students. I can’t even imagine the types of technology we will be seeing in the classroom in the new couple of years.
Great post! I thought the video you selected at the beginning of your post was a nice addition and a fun timeline for us and our students. Like you, I grew up with technology slowly making its way into my school and seeing some schools today with so much and some with so little, I also wonder if all the technology is worth it. I think I received a quality education without all the technology we have today and I do wonder if today the technology is more of a distraction. I have also witnessed teachers plan a lesson using technology but it fails them for some reason or another and then they have wasted valuable time trying to fix the issues rather than teaching. However, you are correct, this is only the beginning of what technology can bring to the classroom and I am sure in the future that technology will be integrated seamlessly and effectively enhance students learning.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so interesting that you are able to compare the amount of technology in different districts. Have you seen a difference in the student engagement? I see a big discrimination in technology in my school based on grade. The younger grades have less technology than the older grades. When I was in school, we had library, where you learned about how the library is organized, how to find books, and how to check out books. Now, my students have Library Learning Time, which is heavily technology based. It takes place in the computer lab and teaches the students about emerging technology skills, research skills, and gets them familiar with a desktop computer (which many are quite uncomfortable with). We then have a separate, shorter time for book exchange where the students can take out books from the library. I enjoy that we have both in our school so that students are still getting exposed to what I called library but they are also exposed to and engaged in technology. I think it is all about balance!
ReplyDeleteThe video you included at the beginning of your post was great at showing how far technology in education has come. I do remember watching filmstrips in my elementary years and what a treat that was. Now we have the luxury of youtube. I do agree that it's all about balance. As teachers we need to be versatile in the ways we educate our students.
ReplyDeleteI too have been able to witness the differences in the access to technology in both urban and suburban school settings. While of course it is extremely important to try to bridge the gap created by this digital divide, a part of me feels that urban schools are able to be more abstract and inventive in their teaching and learning practices because they are forced to be less reliant on technology. Like you said, they amount of advantages that technology brings us in the classroom is unmeasurable, but I do think the importance on "good old fashion learning" is something to frequently incorporate as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Amanda! You really brought me down memory lane with that video. I remember the days of overhead and slide projectors, laserdiscs, floppy disks and only being able to use a computer when you went to the library computer lab. Classrooms and technology have come such a long way, but I agree though that there is a point when it can become too much at times. Not only are students attached to a device in school, they are attached to a device when they get home as well! Too much of a good thing is not always the best. It all comes back around to a theme that has come up several times in this course....balance. Pedagogies, lessons and classroom environment need to be well rounded using a variety of tools and techniques, not technological ones alone. I too can’t wait to see what emerges in classrooms as the years go on. Future classrooms might have robots leading our class!
ReplyDeleteTechnology shut down is a big wrench in the classroom these days. When I was subing in a classroom the smart board pens weren't working and students were supposed to come up and write their answers on the board. As a teacher you have to have plan B, C and D when something like that happens. As a sub I was trying to think what else could they do to still be engaged and want to participate, because they all love writing on the smart board. I ended up have them use dry erase boards so they could all write down the answer together. I am curious to see the future of technology in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThe differences between school districts in terms of funding and resources is quite eye opening. I'm sure that your experiences have made you very aware and appreciative of everything! Technology has changed so much in not that much time - it can be overwhelming to have to keep up with these changes, but you will adjust!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Amanda! I completely agree, it is so important that teachers integrate technology into the classroom, but also create an environment that can function without technology. I've also seen classrooms completely shut down because of issues with the Smartboard, Chromebooks, etc. As teachers, it is always useful to come up with a back up plan in case of technology failure.. i'm sure it will happen to all of us at some point!
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing that you have had a such a variety of experiences that you can draw from to form your opinions about the use of technology in the classroom. I agree with you that as teachers and future teachers we need to create a balance in the classroom. We must be able to welcome these new and engaging technologies, while still maintaining the "good" of the old. We also must be careful to not be so dependent on this technology. because it can fail. Teachers must be prepared to teach both with and without these devices so that learning can continue being engaging without the use of technology.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in the age of technology is definitely an advantage to being an educator now. But, as technology changes, we will have to learn how to use these new tools as well. I do think we need to be open to technology, but be cautious to not loose paper, pens, books, etc. Technology is great, but it does not always work! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agree with you though, between different districts it can vary. I used to work in Hartford and would be saddened with the lack of technology they have. Now intern at a school where each student is fortunate enough to have their own personal Chromebook for the classroom. I hope that one day students of all different backgrounds and cities will be given the same opportunity.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! Technology really has boomed and it is great to see the impact it has been making on our school system. Our students are so lucky this day and age to be using such great technology to help benefit their learning.
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