In this same way, mobile learning is a growing trend in classrooms as well. Students are already using their phones and tablets constantly, whether we like it or not, so we might as well utilize them in our lessons! I am very open to the use of mobile devices in lesson plans, as long as they enhance learning, rather than distract from it (which can be a grey line sometimes). For students with special needs, the use of individual mobile devices can help to personalize and customize lesson plans and students can use apps for extra assistance or support, which leads to more independent learning. Unfortunately there is a growing trend of teachers who are using apps and other mobile tools to replace instruction, instead of using it to engage and deepen understanding of the curriculum. It is simply not enough to say that this website, or this app teaches it the same way I would, so students can just learn from that instead. I love the idea of texting a daily vocab word to students or having students track their own learning online, or do research through multiple outlets.
I think that using these types of technology in the classroom helps to teach students to become more independent and active participants in their own learning in and out of the classroom.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYou make some really good points in your blogpost and I have had some similiar experiences pertaining to the use of IWBs and mobile phones in the classroom. I personally have not been able to use an IWB whiteboard in my placements thus far, but I have before while volunteering at Allendale. I definitely agree with you that IWBs can be extremely beneficial and useful in a classroom IF teachers are trained properly. I feel like many teachers have them in their classrooms, but do not understand everything that are able to do with them. Students can benefit tremendously from these whiteboards and if teachers have the opportunity to have them, they NEED to spend the time to learn how to use it effectively. Students can get involved with their learning, collaborate with one another, and become more engaged!
Right now I am in a high school and it has been so hard getting used to my students always being allowed to be on their phones. Last semester I was at an elementary school and cell phone usage was NEVER an issue. My teacher allows my students to listen to music or just play on their phones as long as they finish their assignments. I do not necessariliy agree with this. I think that my students are wasting too much of their time. If they were using their phones to do something productive then it would be a different story. The only time this is the case is when they are filling out vocabulary worksheets. My teacher allows them to look up the definitions on their phones.
All in all, I think that the increase of technology use in the classroom is a GREAT thing, as long as the teachers are trained properly. I think that in the future we could see some fabulous products that would benefit our students tremendously.
Hey Alex,
DeleteI totally agree that it all comes down to training the teachers. Unfortunately, I think that a lot of schools purchase the boards and/or classroom technology and think that they are done. It is just as important to teach teachers how to use the technology as it is to provide it!
Also, the cell phone thing gets me too. I think it has the potential to waste SO much time (I've already noticed it in my classroom too). I am hoping to bring that up with my CT and see if she is open to having students use certain educational apps/games on their phones instead of just texting.
Amy,
DeleteYou make such a good point! I agree with you that schools just assume that their teachers are motivated/ambitious enough to start the training process. I understand that being a teacher can be extremely busy and overwhelming, but having an IWB in your classroom is such a wonderful and beneficial resource to have. Teachers need to stop taking advantage of them and actually use them the way they are supposed to. I talked to a girl earlier and she mentioned that her teacher uses the IWB in their classroom simply as a screen projection. I was somewhat blown away by this. If this teacher took a little extra and researched different ways to use an IWB in her classroom, she could possibly benefit her student's learning.
I feel like the cell-phone rule in the classroom is such a gray area. My teacher supposively has a "No Cell-Phone" policy, but so far she has been extremely flexible with this. She lets them listen to music and use them during "down-time". I feel like this has gotten extremely out of hand. I definitely want things to be differently when I take over.
Thanks for your insight!
-Alexandra
It's so interesting to see the awesome ways that we can use them to motive ourselves and students. When we are actually in our full-time student teaching positions I will be interested to see if we use them as much as we think we should be. Then we can have an actual understanding of how to use them and how much is actually reasonable!
DeleteOne thing to always check yourself on is when you use statements like, "X can be beneficial."
ReplyDeleteThe counter response is two-fold. First, prove it; that is, show me evidence that teaching with X (whatever it is, tech or not) improved learning outcomes. Second, are there alternatives that are better; that is, achieve greater results, perhaps at a fraction of the cost/time?