With the constant updating of technology there are always problems and confusion between teachers and students regarding it. Students have different versions of Microsoft Word, making it impossible for them to open certain documents (unless they convert them). Beyond the differences in technology versions available, teachers can anticipate having problems with students misusing the internet. Most inappropriate websites are blocked by the schools, but there are ways to get around those blocks, and in this age students are able to do a lot of things that past generations were not. Even beyond the inappropriate sites, just generally surfing the internet during a class is a constant problem for teachers who instantly lose the attention of their pupils. Rules must be enforced to limit these instances.
Teachers also have their own problems with technology. From my own experiences I have seen countless teachers prepare a lesson with a website, PowerPoint or video and have seen that technology fail to work. This is crucial to the lesson plan because often teachers are not equipped with a back up and an entire class could potentially be wasted. While these things aid teachers in the classroom they are not essential to teaching. Technology can always have problems, but I think it should be used just the same because it often makes assignments more exciting and allows students to do more with all of the different programs that are now available.
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Sarah:
ReplyDeleteGood assessment.
When it comes to technology classroom integration, we do have to become conscientious of the social demographics of the students; the importance of this awareness is especially paramount in a property poor school district, where technology may or may not be present or used to the degree that it is available and used in wealthier districts.
I agree with you in the other part of this equation, that teachers need to also be equipped in how they are going to integrate the technology in the classrooms.
Not using the technology just for the sake of using it, but using it to enhance, assist students in learning their other content materials.
It does not hurt to have a 'plan B' when technology is not up to par in the school, but do make every effort to maximize its use whenever possible, as it does enhance student learning.
Regarding 'classroom Internet surfing', in the K-12 classroom, teachers have more leverage, more control over what students are/are not doing on the computers. Computers are in closer proximity to the teacher; teachers can decide how computers are going to be placed; which way the desks are going to be facing; when students will be allowed to 'turn on' the computers; if your school will have computer lab, there usually is a designated lab teacher available to assist with how the students are using the computers.
Dr. Herring