With the recent loss of Steve Jobs I have had the opportunity to reflect on the impact of his contributions in the field of technological innovations that made technology accessible to the majority of the population. This reflection was possible in part because of the numerous radio and news conversations aired recently. He created a vehicle in technology that allowed for the expanded creativity of musicians, artists, authors, and students. Technology that allows students to build on ideas and concepts is not replacing the initial thinking it is enriching and expanding the thinking that comes from those initial ideas and concepts. Technology also allows students to share what they are discovering with their peers near and far with tools like Google.docs, Skype or a Wiki, I like the idea of using technology as a tool to elevate a student’s way of thinking both in and out of classroom. Technology by itself is not what is allowing for the increased creativity, but rather the vehicle to pursue and achieve unlimited potential and can help prepare students for the ever changing future.
The two videos illustrated the benefits and limitations of technology. The benefits include the increased access to information and the efficiency of sharing information with others. This increased speed in access to information does not eliminate the need for a human teacher to guide and direct, inspire and motivate. Technology is a tool.
Student engagement is one of the results of the use of technology as a tool. Ali Carr-Chellman goes on to describe the benefits of meeting kids where they learn in this 13 minute video about engaging boys in learning.
Student engagement is one of the results of the use of technology as a tool. Ali Carr-Chellman goes on to describe the benefits of meeting kids where they learn in this 13 minute video about engaging boys in learning.
I absolutely agree that technology is a great resource and tool for students to use in and out of the classroom. Furthermore, it is important to expose all of our students to these beginning tools that will lay the foundation for the technology they will be required to use as adults. Since the field is changing so rapidly, we can only expose them to the infancy of what they will see as adults. However, ensuring that they feel comfortable with these tools will help them feel comfortable with the tools of tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteOf course there are limits and downfalls to technology so we, as teachers, need to be sure we are being very selective about what we share with them. We need to be as careful as we would be with selecting books for our classroom library. As we know, there are many, many books out there, but not many, many GOOD books.
Reading your comments about technology reminds me of what our professor recently said. Technology should not be used solely for technology’s sake. As you said, technology is a tool and tools should help us become better teachers – not make things more difficult for us. It is something more to consider as we plan our lessons.
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