As a future technology using educator I will
need to decide when it is best to include technology into a lesson or to have
learning infused with technology. Inclusion would be the use of technology for
practicing skills and for transferring information. There are lessons in which
technology inclusion would be very useful, especially in the elementary school
level, such as learning how to use a key board for typing in a word processor
program. Technology inclusion could also be used to assists in the lecture
portion of a lesson by projecting slides with key terms or points for students
to use as a guide for taking notes.
Infusion of technology will be necessary for completing hands on
activities and truly enhancing the lesson or learning experience on a daily
basis. In elementary school for example, as a teacher, students can use
computers daily to research a topic and then keep a journal throughout the year
about each days discoveries. Wonderopolis is a website that offers a “wonder of
the day” topic, and links to research related to that topic. I would love to
infuse technology into my daily classroom activities by having students journal
about the wonder of the day using this website as a tool for research.
It is likely that my future classroom will be
filled with students from different social, racial, and economic background.
Research has shown the within multicultural classrooms, there are often digital
inequalities as well. Each students previous experiences with technology will
vary greatly based of social issues such as race, ethnicity, and household income.
Higher income households tend to have more access to technology, including the
internet. Students who do not have computers or internet at home tend to fall
behind in tech competencies and tech skills. One to one laptop computing in the
classroom may help close of the participation gap, although this is not always
an option. Some schools, including the school my son attends have a “bring your
own device/ BYOD” policy. At my son’s school, students who do not have a device
to bring will be paired up with a student who does have a device and they will
work together on activities. As a future educator the idea of BYOD seems slightly
more intimidating than having a single device provided to each student. The
reason it is intimidating, is because as teacher, I would be likely be expected
to know how to trouble shoot any issues that may arise on a large variety of device makes or models. Even if each child in my classroom is not able to use a
technology device individually at school, we will do plenty of small group activities
using the computers or devices we do have access too. I actually prefer small
group activities as they allow students to learn from one another as they
collaborate on the lesson, and small group assignments tend to be student
centered as well.
Most changes that occur within the educational setting are top-down changes to existing policies. Teachers do not always get much say in the changes, as they are coming down from the administration. Technology integration in the classroom allows teachers to create change and transform learning experiences. Automating, recreating existing practices using technology, is common practice these days in schools. Informating, however, allows teachers to redesign activities completely. As a future teacher I will need to determine what technologies to use to positively change the learning experience in my classroom. Students should be actively invited into having a voice in regards to technology and change as well. As a future teacher, I hope to gather the insight of students, as they are the most vital member of their own learning process. Through curiosity and practice, my students and I will build our computer literacy together.
References:
BES Classrooms. The New Classroom at BES. Jan. 24 2008. Retrieved on Nov.
28, 2014 from https://flic.kr/p/4m5ojv
Lmmatz728. Integrating
Technology in the Classroom. Nov. 28, 2014. http://photopeach.com/album/17yd3p4
Knopp-Schwyn, C, Serene Computer
Lab at Seward Montessori School. Sept. 21, 2007. Retrieved on Nov. 28, 2014
from https://flic.kr/p/3apksQ
Maloy, R.,
O’Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming
Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston,
MA: Pearson Education Inc.
You share some important ideas and feelings - I know it can be very scary to think about all of the things you need to do as a teacher...and there are definitely many 'to do's', especially as a new teacher, but things get better with practice and experience. Your efforts will be rewarded. I might argue that the 'top-down' idea of change really works well - yes, it can be funded and have 'lip service' but ultimately the 'grassroots' effort from within the general populace tends to have more substantive change. Furthermore, as a teacher, you need to feel empowered to make that change for our students possible. :)
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