I agree that there is a disconnect between technologies that we used in our everyday life for socialization and entertainment and the technologies we see in the classroom. I think this happens because of the misconception that technologies used primarily for non-educational purposes cannot be beneficial classroom, which is not true. Of course communicational technologies, such as facebook, e-mail, and the internet help with collaboration, research, and group projects. YouTube can be used to show videos relating to a wide variety of topics, and some video games incorporate academic subjects either through direct instruction of them or by including them in the background of the game. I think that these technologies could definitley be used in the classroom, if intergrated correctly. Collaboration should be encouraged through the use of communcative devices that the students are familiar with. This may encourage them to work together on a project more so than another method of communication. One problem I see with this would be students using e-mails or facebook groups to list ideas when the teacher requires an explanation of the students' plans. I don't see any problem with the students primarily communicating through facebook, blogs, e-mail, etc. and then turning in a written copy of what their main ideas are. This will help them organize their thoughts, so it would be helpful in the end. As for videos and games, I think that if they are teaching the lesson and main ideas just as well or better than traditional instruction would allow, then they are definitley suitable for use in the classroom.
I do think there is one main problem with using these technologies in the classroom, mostly with older students but recently with younger ones also. Many students abuse the opportunity to use facebook, video games, cell phones, etc. in class by using them for non-educational purposes during class. This can definitley be stressful for teachers who must monitor their students' actions while using these technologies. Another problem with my content area (elementary education) is that not all students have access to these technologies or are old enough to use them. However, if the technology is age-appropriate and is provided for use in class, then the students could definitley learn from them, and I think it would be helpful to investigate the misconception that "fun" technologies used at home cannot be beneficial in the classroom.
-Chrissy Cohn
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I agree with Chrissy's idea that the students will use technologies like facebook and blogs to list ideas instead of explaining them out. I thought that this was an interesting point because I had never really thought about this before and I think it would be true, I think that the students would not want to fully type out, or feel like they don't have to fully type out, their thoughts because they are using social networking sites. I think that the teacher would have to stress that the students be fully explicit in their typing and thoughts when communicating in a group effor to make sure that all the members of the group understand what each group memeber means. I also agree with Chrissy that these types of technologies can be intergrated into the classroom if done correctly, and could be use in "fun" ways in the classroom to promote learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chrissy in the point about content area. I am also elementary education, so many times certain technologies like cell phones, computers, etc, aren't even factors in the classroom. I also don't see much use of things such as blogs or e-mails in the elementary level because at this age, students are still trying to tune their motor skills. Blogging, etc could almost be counter productive at a young age because it would take so long for some students to type. I agree with Chrissy in that there are many benefits to these technologies, as long as we are talking about an older group of students.
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