Technology is becoming more prevalent
in society. People of all ages are capable of learning how to use various
devices. For example, my younger cousin who is 2 years old knows how to use an iPhone
to listen to music, use apps, and take “selfies” as well as her Leapfrog tablet
for educational games and listen to stories.
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Personal photo
(Lee, 2015)
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The use of technology is being
implemented more often in classrooms and is transforming education. Using
technology is part of the process of creating a “new story”, or new approach, in
21st century education that builds upon aspects of “traditional”
education and can improve teaching and student learning (Drake, Reid, &
Kolohon, 2014). For example, a study conducted by Bester and Brand (2013)
compared the achievement of Grade 8 students who received either a form of technology
during lessons (i.e. power-point presentation, interactive SMART board, videos)
or just verbal instruction. Bester and Brand (2013) found that the group of
students who were taught using technology had higher achievement levels and
displayed higher levels of attention, concentration, and motivation during each
lesson compared to the group who received lessons without technology.
An interesting resource called Fakebook can be used to create fake Facebook profiles of fictional and historical characters for learning purposes. The profile can also be saved and downloaded. I think it would be fun for students because many have their own Facebook accounts and it allows students to be creative while learning about the lives of the people/characters who they create profiles for.
Another resource is Kate Lechleiter's blog. She shares various ways to use the iPad and various apps in her lessons to support her students' learning.
An interesting resource called Fakebook can be used to create fake Facebook profiles of fictional and historical characters for learning purposes. The profile can also be saved and downloaded. I think it would be fun for students because many have their own Facebook accounts and it allows students to be creative while learning about the lives of the people/characters who they create profiles for.
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| Retrieved from http://www.classtools.net/FB/home-page |
Another resource is Kate Lechleiter's blog. She shares various ways to use the iPad and various apps in her lessons to support her students' learning.
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| Education Today. (2008). SMART board [Online image]. Retrieved from http://www.educationtoday.com.au/article/Future-present--573 |
From my experiences at my school placements,
I was able to observe technology being used in the classroom. In a Grade 2 classroom, the
SMART board provided the teacher with several lesson plans and a visual
representation to help students understand various concepts. The class was learning about
coins and counting money and a math program on the SMART board allowed students
to move and manipulate the coins. Bester and Brand (2013) mentioned that many
students are visual learners and technology can be used to support this type of
learning style. The following video discusses how
using technology has improved the academic performance of the students at John
Kelley Elementary School in Thermal, California
as it allows students to learn in different ways. The students are active and
engaged in their learning and are motivated to find their own answers to
questions they may have.
KMIR. (2013, May 3). Local elementary students use ipads in classrooms [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x_61o8dKYQ
Technology creates an interactive
learning environment and promotes learning through fun activities and games. There
are several websites where students could learn about various topics for each
subject and practice different concepts and skills. For example, I observed students who
enjoyed playing math games on www.coolmath.com,
practiced typing on http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr,
and listened to and read stories on https://www.raz-kids.com/.
In a Grade 1 French-Immersion classroom, the teacher often used YouTube videos
to complement her lessons. For example, she played French songs containing vocabulary words, raps about
math concepts, multicultural videos, and for fun she played Just Dance videos
for short exercise breaks.
AverageAsianDude. (2013, Oct 8). Just dance 2014 - Y.M.C.A - 5*Stars [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOeebil3eKY
Technology is great as it
provides ways for students to do various tasks, such as research, writing
blogs, and creative displays of work. However, I think there needs to be a
balance between use of technology and engaging lessons without technology. There
is an increasing reliance on technology as there is more access to various
devices (iPads, laptops, tablets, and computers) and several programs, apps,
and websites. Glowacki (2015) brought up
an important point that technology is great as a complement to lessons, but it cannot replace teaching. The
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that
technology improved student outcomes if it
was used to complement learning done in the classroom by helping them study or
practice various skills. I agree because we cannot rely on using just technology to teach students. Students need to be able to think critically and
be able to demonstrate their learning and skills (for example, writing and math skills)
without their programs, devices, and apps.
In addition, there is a concern
about the amount of time students are on computers and devices at home and
school. At my placement, the Grade 1 teacher told me how she tries to make
opportunities for children to play with each other in the classroom and use
their imagination. Many children on the playground at recess were bored as they
“didn’t know what to do”. With many children having their own personal electronic devices, it can
sometimes limit their ability to play with others without technology and create
relationships with others. Teachers not only teach lessons and skills, they build
trusting relationships with their student to create a positive learning
environment. Teachers must also support other aspects of development (for example, socio-emotional), individual learning needs of their
students, and encourage critical thinking and independent thought, which not all
technology can do (Wright, 2013). As a teacher, I hope to use different sources
of technology to assist me in teaching and help students learn because they are
wonderful resources. Overall, technology provides many advantages for improving
student learning when used to complement lessons in the classroom.
References
AverageAsianDude. (2013, Oct 8). Just dance 2014 - Y.M.C.A - 5*Stars [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOeebil3eKY
Bester, G. B., & Brand, L. (2013). The effect of technology on learner attention and achievement in the classroom. South African Journal Of Education, 33(2), 1-15.
Drake, S. M., Reid, J. L., & Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving curriculum and classroom assessment: Engaging the 21st century learner. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Education Today. (2008). SMART board [Online image]. Retrieved from http://www.educationtoday.com.au/article/Future-present--573
Glowacki, L. (2015, September 16). Technology in the classroom no shortcut to success: OECD report. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/technology-in-the-classroom-no-shortcut-to-success-oecd-report-1.3230587
KMIR. (2013, May 3). Local elementary students use ipads in classrooms [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x_61o8dKYQ
Wright, P. (2013, June 20). Why new technologies could never
replace great teaching. The Guardian. Retrived
from http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/jun/20/technology-not-replace-teaching-learning
