After several years of utilizing technology in my own classroom, my position as substitute this year allows me a unique opportunity to observe how other teachers are using technology. Of course, I only get a snapshot of how teachers are using technology day to day, but I've definitely noticed an unsettling trend. Unlike some school systems in which there is limited access to technology, this particular school system has desktops, chromebooks, and ipads available to every classroom. So why aren't they being used? Just today I listened in the faculty lounge as one teacher told another that she was not allowing any of her students near the computers after one student's "web incident." It was going to be worksheets for them and that was that. Another teacher chimed in with some of the comments he's seen on Twitter and how it isn't appropriate for a classroom setting. This makes me wonder if we are introducing technology in the wrong way, tying technology use too closely as a reward or punishment for behavior rather than a valuable teaching tool, integrated into the daily instruction and not an addition to use only on rare occassions. Below are two snapshots of an infographic found here:
Edudemic.
As you can see, an overwhelming amount of teachers surveyed indicate that technology has a positive effect on student engagement and learning but very few routinely utilize such technology. It seems that teachers and administrators need to plan their technology integration so that teachers and students are comfortable using technology as a learning tools, beginning with defining terms of use and appropriate "netiquette" skills. Let's open up this discussion. Is technology sitting unused in your school? Why do you think this is the case and how can teachers become more effective at using their resources?
Jess-
ReplyDeleteAt my school, teachers try to incorporate technology in the classrooms as often as we can. The frustration that I hear from the teachers isn't about students abusing internet privileges, but knowing how to best incorporate the technology within the content. We don't want to use the technology just because it's there; we want to make it meaningful. We wish we could have trainings and supportive resources that tell us how to use these tools. Right now, it's been more of an exploration and trying different things we hear from each other.
Fatima
Jess,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct when you point out that technology should not be a prized toy that can just as easily be taken away to punish students. When we first implemented our 1:1, we had few restrictions and many problems. We have learned to tackle these issues by providing proactive mini lessons about appropriate tech use, implementing tech norms complete with non removal punishments, and we have purchased some security (They are still middle schoolers!). It is a shame that some teachers avoid the teachable moments and punish either the whole class or that student with the lack of resources. (It would be like telling a kid he has to sit on the floor because he was squeaking in his chair. That would be absurd in this day and age, but we do it with technology!)
Brittany