When it comes to evaluating whether technology is important and a worthwhile investment in classrooms, we should consult the source…teachers! Recently I compiled a few questions regarding teaching without technology, teaching with different types of technology, and thoughts on effective usages. I sent the questionnaire to five teachers (a mix of elementary and secondary) hoping to receive all five responses back. Although I only received two results, each had very similar thoughts.
I have attached the results for your viewing pleasure!
Response 1
Response 2
In addition, I’ve attached a blank questionnaire. If you are a teacher and are reading my blog posts, please feel free to download the blank questionnaire and submit back to me with your thoughts. I’ll keep names confidential and if I get enough responses back, I’ll compile the and post the results to see what similarities are out there. If you are not a teacher and reading my posts but know of some teachers that might be able to help out in this study, please pass this questionnaire along. Submissions can be emailed to NELSB0253@students.uwc.edu
I liked the comment on the first response that teaching needs to be revelant, connected to prior knowledge, and active. Technology for the sake of technology can be distracting. An interesting question that Professor Kruse mentioned in class is Are the students interested in the content or are they just interested in the technology. Whenever we are incorporating technology into a lesson, we must reflect on this question to see if technology is benefitting the content.
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ReplyDeleteAgreed totally! We as future educators do not want to just "WOW" the students and allow technology to be for their enjoyment.. Like you said, we need to make sure technology is benefitting the content and allows the student to become engaged and acquire the knowledge we're putting forth!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment!
When it comes to technology there is no doubt that it is extremely important to be tech savvy. Technology is an amazing resource helps teachers in extraordinary ways. Although I believe it is very easy to become disconnected with your students if you use technology to much. I think using technology as a tool and not the whole curriculum is a good path.
ReplyDeleteI have issue with the 2nd teacher's response to the last question. His comment was "In the days of kids with an overabundance of screen time, students tend to learn better using what they are familiar with. It also gives them the opportunity to explore their own world, be it on the internet, or hands on with a smartboard program." First of all the word overabundance to me isn't a good thing. Why give them more of what they have too much of already? And should we make things easy for our students by giving them familiar ways of learning? Finally, we should have our students explore new worlds. There's nothing wrong with taking them out of their comfort zone and teaching them from the "old school" way from time to time. :)
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