I think Michael Wesch is teaching these kids far beyond what a book and lecture could. His class mixes in all elements of teaching styles: lecture, web 2.0, hands on, visual....ETC I accept this challenge and will do what it takes to touch on all of these learning styles as well. Michael says we have to move from closed to open, from control to enabled, from structure to platform and finally from knowledgeable to knowledge-able. That really stuck with me and it reaffirms my stance on education.
I can remember how bored I got in class as a student, and we weren't as overwhelmed with technology the way this generation is. I can only imagine how they are feeling listening to teachers all day long. I have always tried to plan interactive lessons, games and activities. I think they learn more that way. I come from a P.E. background so I always try to keep the kids active and moving instead of sedentary the entire hour they are in my classroom. The results have been positive. Test score are better and the kids participate well. I cant make every class like that, but I do try more often than not.
In the nutrition section of health we do an interactive food log online. They each get to put in the food they logged and compare the results with each other. Then I take them to my log through Body Bugg. This shows them my food breakdown and my caloric breakdown. This gives them a visual of calories out and calories in. It is probably my favorite lesson to teach.
I say the more technology the better. These students future depends on it. They are moving into a digital world and need to be comfortable using these products. I am always excited when kids are excited to come to my class. That's how I know my methods are successful. When enthusiasm meets standards!
On the Debbie Downer side, it depends on how you use the technology for it to be successful. Lessons still need to be planned in advance and with reason. The students need to be able to connect what they are learning, not only by topic, but also to their life. This will help make technology effective in the classroom.
I totally agree with your statement, "the more technology the better". And, of course, it does depend on how you use the technology... but what I like about Wesch's idea was that you have to think about the use of technology in a new way.. not just converting old information into techno-savvy formats but actually creating a new way of doing/thinking about something. So, instead of loving computers for the fact that my students can store their writing in a more permanent way, what if I engage them in a conversation or a collaborative writing that happens online in google docs. This way, not only are they writing and able to have access to their writing but they are now engaged in a way that they were never able to be engaged before.. and really taking part in the process. I loved that part of his lecture..
ReplyDeleteI completly agree and love your description of how you are adding some interactive components. I need to do more with the interactivity and community building with my work site. So much to do. Sometimes it's tough to know where to get started, but I like the idea of starting with the portal.
ReplyDeleteI agree, incorporating the technology is wonderful but it does take even more prep sometimes to make it work well. Often times things do not run smoothly but the kids are always open to new things, so they figure a lot of it out and we work the kinks out! I love that the kids are participatory and feel empowered. I like to think I do that as well in my class and I am happy to hear you run your classes this way too. We will lose them if we don't!
ReplyDeleteI think that incorporating technology for the sake of incorporating technology is where so many people find themselves frustrated. The mandate comes down from the local, regional, and national players that we need to integrate more with either no guidance or down right miss guidance.
ReplyDeleteTools should be used when they save time and make things flow easier. We tend to think of computer technology differently then other technologies but ultimately it is about using the tools to empower ourselves and empower our students. The educators who are able to make that happen will be the ones who even if unrecognized will be the ones who are able to make the most impact with the least amount of effort on their part.
On of my pushes this year is that of document cameras. Yet still I have several teachers who come down every day to make transparencies instead of just using the sheet they bring down on the document camera.
I don't think it is the document camera that intimidates them. I think that it is the empty time that intimidates them. If they had a document camera with it's toss anything under it and it's up on the wall capabilities they wouldn't need to waste 20 minutes down in the library every morning. What then would they do?
They could work with students who need extra help? They could build more exciting lessons? they could relax and simply talk to their students/peers to build relationships, trust, and gain insight. But no. They do what is familiar and do what they can to look busy for the powers that be.
I think that as Ken Robbins says we have created a system where making a mistake is so completely stigmatized that we are all paralyzed. This teacher is as paralyzed with fear that she could make a mistake with the technology as she is that she could be noticed as doing something different that could be perceived as a mistake.
So very many of us have gotten into a keep your head down and don't rock the boat mentality. I myself struggle with it.