Whew! We just finished a grueling week of presentations, and I think we all did a great job. One thing that I noticed was how the groups differed in their use of technology. Some presentations relied on powerpoint, video interviews, U-tube segments, clips from movies, etc, and other groups chose to engage us through group work and handouts. The use of different media and texts was really impressive, and all of the techniques were effective.
I have been thinking a lot about the appropriate use of technology in schools, and not using it for the sake of using it. There needs to be a purpose and benefit to using technology in a classroom as a learning tool. While I recognize this, one question continually pops into my head. Is it worth using technology in the classroom for the sole purpose of engaging the students? If students enjoy using computers and blogging more than writing and keeping a paper journal, does that justify using technology? Do we always have to make school fun, and is technology the way to do that?
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4 comments:
Courtney,
Thanks for reminding me about our opportunity to share resources in this program. I do sometimes get stuck in the mindset that people's ideas are theirs and I can apprecitate the ideas but can't use them. One of the best things about this program is that we can all bring our best to the table and share each others ideas and strenghts. You are right - we will each have our own classrooms so we can use whatever will be best for our students.
Courtney,
I have to agree with you that I was thoroughly impressed with all the groups' use of technology this week. During the presentations I felt myself wondering if we were all trying to test out technology because of 504 and all the things we've learned in the past 6 weeks. My other thought on that was that perhaps we believed - after all we have learned - that "old school" overhead projectors and chalk are boring. In any case, I was happy to be "introduced" to all the new technologies because, as you already recognized, we can all learn from each other this year!
:) Rachel
Courtney
I believe you are speaking to the importance of having a spectrum of resources (technology and non-technology related) at your disposal when you are lesson planning. It is nice to know your options and it is even more important to know what resources will "fit" into your particular lesson plan objectives and goals. There is definitely not a "one size fits all" approach to technology or classroom resources.
I think you bring up such an important point about technology and engaging students. I think most would agree with you about not using technology just to use it or just to make something "fun". I have found from my own high school teaching experience that if a technology tool can take a struggling student and engage them or motivate them to participate and get excited about learning, than I don't believe that is a negative outcome.
Courtney,
Not only is it important to have a variety of resources available in the classroom so you can choose what best fits a particular lesson, but it is also nice to have "back-up" options in case your chosen technology fails for some reason.
For example, my 695 group was planning to play Jeopardy using PowerPoint, but when we got there the slides would not link correctly. As a result, we had to fall back on drawing the Jeopardy board on the chalkboard.
I guess it just goes to show, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Or, in this case, a specific classroom technology.
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