How do new technologies create new opportunities for teaching and learning?
Many traditional educators would gag at the very though of introducing some of the new technological gadgets into the classroom. However, with today's trend of digital and electronic interplay, the idea of intergrating a cell phone into the classroom for educational purposes is beginning to entertain the thoughts of many teachers, students, and parents alike. Many of today's generation of children have opened their eyes to a world full of electronic devices, ranging from toys, to cameras, to phones, and DVD's. Juxtapose to their parents or grandparents before them, these children's tender minds have more favorable acclimated to the electronic age before them. Through immediate hands on experience at such a young age, these toddlers quickly become data processing gurus before they speak their first words.
So, as we think about the topic of creating new opportunities through modern technology for education, we must keep in mind that those things that worked for us and for some of the older generations might not work for our children today. Some educational techniques have become outdated and obsolete. Here is what Elise Ying-Hei Ho published about what a former teacher, now keynote speaker said regarding technology in the classroom: "Pointek makes an amazing comparison regarding students today--Generation Z--as Jetson's kids attending a Flintsone's school. As technology has evolved over the years, schools are falling behind in staying updated and while some do obtain new digital media tools in their schools and classrooms few teaching methods have been revised to accomodate for the new generation." ( Ying-Hei Ho, p.2) This statement only adds to the idea of teachers, districts leaders, and superintendents to push the agenda of "technology in the classroom". As educators, we must take in to consideration the strength of the students, how they best learn, and what helps them learn the best. Right now, that strength of learning for today's generation happens to be new technologies. Not that every student learns better with digital devices, but many of them are adjusting very well to these modern technologies. For most of them, these devices are their only interest, so why not use them to the students' advantage. For those who don't adjust as well, we will bring them along delicately, but we must advance the students who are looking for opportunities to learn through new technologies.
Should technology take over in the educational realm and within the learning enviornment? What we have created to aid in education should never take over in the educational setting, or else it will be more about the device than it is about the actual education of the student. Teachers, on the other hand, should never allow a device to take over the teaching setting for them; otherwise, it would seem more sufficient to pay the device over the teacher because the device would be doing all of the work. However, teachers do need some of these devices to effectively educate their students. Ultimately, it is the responsibilty of the teacher to teach and all devices become tools and aides to help in that endeavor. As Dr. Marie Coleman suggests, "Technology should not be driving the bus when it comes to education". If I could suggest, I believe if we read between the lines of Dr. Coleman's statement, then it would be safe to say that technology should definitely be sitting somewhere on the bus--just not in the driver's seat.
Today's technologies can have a big impact on learning, especially within the educational enviornment. It becomes the role of the teacher to understand how to use that technology proficiently to effectively educate his/her students. "The goal is always to create exciting and effective learning experiences by stimulating interest, inspiring curiosity, and propelling everyone's desire to know more. To do this, teachers must be constant learners of and leaders with technology." (Maloy, pg. 14)
I'm anticipating the day when the majority of educators will tell their students to pull out their cell phones and do an assignment.
Edwards, S., Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., & Woolf, B. (2014,2011). Transforming Learning With
New Technologies: Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Ho, Elise Y.H., "Trend Hunter Keynotes", Tech Savvy Classrooms. 27 November 2012, Web. 17
January 2014
Great first blog post! :) I like that you researched other authors for additional information and enhancement to your own writing. Ultimately, there is the really 'no turning back' on technology. Perhaps, we can learn to better utilize them for our own benefit and to better equalize them, as well.
ReplyDeleteAs for my comment - yes, technology definitely has a seat on the bus but it should not be the purpose for delivering a learning lesson - it should, itself, be ubiquitous...just as a pencil is in math. It is a tool - one of many that we can use, depending on our needs. :)