I would like to highlight two points that most prominently resonated with me from Chapter 1. The first addresses "Generation M" - children who have grown up using computers, the internet, and other media. In my first years teaching, it astonishes me how technologically savvy my kindergarten students are. All of them know how to open and manipulate apps on the iPad. They can raise or lower the volume, recognize when it needs to be recharged, and plug it in to recharge totally independently. On the other hand, I have several classic CD players with headsets for the students to listen to books on CD. They needed significant instruction on how to operate these devices and had no idea how to problem solve issues that arose! How indicative of the type of media these youngsters have been exposed to!
When the SmartBoard isn't functioning properly, they offer a myriad of suggestions: "Ms. Spitz is it plugged in?" "I think you need to press the dots again (referencing the calibration feature)" "What about the light? Is that on? (referencing the projector)" "Maybe the internet stopped working." Their suggestions demonstrate that they have an understanding of this technology that goes beyond simple manipulation of it, but they have a deeper understanding of how it works. They know it has to be plugged into the wall for electrivity, that it must be connected to a projector, that there is a way to calibrate it, and that the internet it's connected to reaches beyond our classroom! All that at the ages of five and six! Unbelievable!
The second point that resonated with me is the idea of "Web 2.0" - tools that connect educators and students across the country and around the world! During my undergraduate work in Boston, I spent time in several elementary classrooms for observation and student teaching. From these experiences, I gained insight into different classroom set ups and routines. But, perhaps more influential than those classrooms, are the classrooms I saw through pictures and descriptions online through Pinterest, Blogs, and various educational websites. These experiences of Web 2.0 allowed me to not only see and read about classrooms, but to comment and interact virtually with the teacher in that room as well as other educators who left comments! My grade partner and I wanted to do an author study about Laura Neumeroff, who wrote "If You Give a Mouse A Cookie." Do you know the first thing we did after selecting the Common Core Standards we wanted to address...check Pinterest! There we got ideas from literally hundreds of teachers around the world instantly. Some offered pictures of finished bulletin boards, free downloadable templates for writing paper, free downloadable graphic organizers, etc. You can't ask for more collaboration than that!
Web 2.0 has been invaluable to me as a beginning teacher in terms of ideas for classroom setup and management, individual remediation strategies and support, and until plan ideas. How great it is to be a part of such a wide-reaching education community!
A few questions to share with the group:
1. In my elementary school experience, learning how to touch-type was an important part of computer class; the speed and accuracy of your electronic writing capabilities were graded just like handwriting was! From my conversations with other educators, this type of instruction has largely been phased out and replaced with web quests and other interactive games during computer class. What has been your experience? Is this the right direction to head?
2. Chapter 1 discusses technology as a way to "motivate and engage students," do you agree? Or with students of Generation M being so exposed to technology at home, does technology become the norm and loose it's engaging quality?
Alexa thoughts
11 years ago
Hey Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!
It amazes me how the younger generation knows a lot about smart boards already . I myself agree that Technology has helped me share my ideas online and also given me inspiration when ever I hit a roadblock. There are many teachers in society today that document what went well in their classroom's online for the world to see. I agree that effective communication with other teachers helps us try new technique and improve our teaching skills inside of the classroom. There are many different approaches we can take when it comes to implementing technology inside the classroom, but making sure that our students also learn about the past is vital to their learning experience. We should prepare our students for the days where we have to give technology a break. I hope technology does not lose its engaging quality, then we will have to deal with students who shall become anti-social in person. We have to monitor technology in a way were it is balanced across the board and isn't taking away from the normal experiences.
In response to question 1, I too remember being taught how to type properly, specifically in ninth grade. I really think that people need to be taught how to type properly. I cannot even begin to explain how much it has helped me that I am able to type rapidly without looking at the keyboard. The "hunt and peck" method is slow and tedious, whereas typing with all ten fingers is rapid and efficient.
ReplyDeleteYes, students indeed need to learn webquests, web research, social media, etc. But they also need to learn how to type so that they can access information/type information quickly!
Hi Rebecca
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising to learn through your experience that those youngsters are exposed to a variety of technologies. It's good to see those new technologies you observed such as smartboard and various educational websites, even Pinterest, Blogs are being used in the classroom.
Due to my personal learning experience, limited technology was incorporated in class. So for me it's a long way to learn about new technologies and how can they be applied in my future classroom.
1. Yes I had the same experience! I had typing tests and was evaluated if I was typing on the keyboard correctly. I feel it almost comes second nature to the younger generation since they are so exposed to it on a daily basis where to us it was all new! I feel like we are headed in the right direction but maybe should still incorporate some of the beginners steps into our technology lessons for those students who are not as exposed as others.
ReplyDelete2. That's a really great point, I never thought of that! I feel like it can get less exciting for the older grades but in the younger grades I still feel like it will always be something new and exciting.