I definitely feel that I have a responsibility to use technology within my classroom. Technology is an amazing tool and it can definitely enhance the field of education. However, I do not believe that using technology can make a lesson fundamentally better. Using technology just to use technology is lazy. On the other hand, using technology to compliment learning can be extremely beneficial.
After listening to this weeks lecture, I realize I am very similar to Jim. I am wary of new technology. I am very uncomfortable when I do not understand something new. Yet, after learning even the basics of a new program, or piece of equipment, I become more comfortable. I then try to find ways I can use new technology to my advantage. For example, smart boards confuse me. At first I was quite intimidated by them, and then I had the opportunity to play with one. The things that the smart board can do amaze me. I still am not comfortable using one, but I definitely would like to use it again to get comfortable, and I would love it in the classroom.
Marc Prensky’s article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, describes the generational gap between those that have grown up with technology, digital natives, and those that are learning to use technology, digital immigrants. Prensky argues that the differences between digital natives and digital immigrants are vast. I couldn’t agree more. The way information is obtained and processed varies greatly between the two groups. However, I do not believe that if you are a digital immigrant you will always be a digital immigrant. With the right attitude towards technology, it is possible for someone to become fluent and lose their native accent. I also agree that there is no turning back. With the exception of a great cataclysmic event such as 2012, technology is here to stay.
I definitely agree with your stance on technology incorporation in the classroom. As teachers of the youth of the future, we have a responsibility to provide students with the skills they will need in their eventual professional lives. However, the technology we bring into schools must be meaningful, functional, and relevant. To just "bring in" random electronics does no good for our students; what we must do is select appropriate technology that can lead us to the goals of our core content areas.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that there is no turning back. The internet and all of its related hardware and software is here to stay. From this mindset, I think it's important that sometimes we teachers allow our students the "right of way". We must be careful not to hinder their futures because of our own ignorance or trepidations about exploring the possibilities of the digital age.
P.S. Nice apocolypse reference at the end...
Chris your P.S. actually made me laugh out loud. I hoped that people would not think that I'm crazy... especially since I've been hearing that the world was going to end today actually... luckily I'm still here.
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology should always be used to compliment a lesson not be the lesson itself. I would absolutely love to have a smart board in my classroom. I am almost always using power point, you tube, or something off of the computer in my lectures and a smart board would be really awesome to help compliment that. I also am sometimes weary of using technology that I don't understand but I still try to figure it out.
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