My opinion about technology in the classroom is uncertain. Should we add more? Should we ease off? What should we do? How much is too much? What are other educators doing or thinking? A million questions on my mind about technology in the classroom, and if I were honest, I would add that it is likely so because I feel that as an educator, it is also one of my weaknesses, and I am working hard to improve my IT skills. Why a weak point? Because there’s always something new coming up and like a lot of educators feel, it is just hard to keep up! A few days ago, I watched a clip in one of our classes at university about how things move fast in the tech world. We had VHS, then MP3s, then DVDs, then the iPad and now Chromebooks. “What’s next?” is the burning question when it comes to technology.
Thus, debating the idea of whether #edtech should be used or not in the classroom doesn’t make much sense anymore, as technology has very much forayed its way into our classes and does not look like it’s ever going away. Nevertheless, questioning the extent or the way it is used remains of paramount importance. Have we assessed and reflected enough on the drawbacks of using technology in the context of education?
Lately, my estimation of the amount of technology to be used in a classroom has been changing thanks to my AT. I remember writing a piece about six weeks ago about how traumatized I was when I walked into my CSL classroom and found out that there was no whiteboard but only a smartboard (This has changed since). I remember coming back home and thinking that I don’t think I’ll be able to go back because, though I am not a ‘Luddite’ or show technophobic leanings, my teaching is based on ‘old school principles’ as to having binders, pens, markers, a dictionary in what I call a ‘traditional classroom.’ But after giving it a second thought, I decided to take it as a challenge and to see how my AT was going to make me change my mind about technology!
The essential question here is: what can technology replace today in classrooms, and what can’t they replace? We are now in the 7th week of CSL and here is what I observed; this is a collection of entirely subjective observations.
However, every Wednesday, I have the same scary thought on my way back home.
Where are we heading with education? According to a recent study done by the World Economic Forum, by 2030, students will be learning from robot teachers ten times faster than today.
But I wonder, does technology encourage critical thinking? Can it boost student confidence? Can students get better grades due to technology? Can technology create scaffolds to make it easier to understand concepts or ideas? What can technology do that traditional learning tools can't? So, I decided to make a table for the pros and cons, so it’s evident in my head.
Thus, debating the idea of whether #edtech should be used or not in the classroom doesn’t make much sense anymore, as technology has very much forayed its way into our classes and does not look like it’s ever going away. Nevertheless, questioning the extent or the way it is used remains of paramount importance. Have we assessed and reflected enough on the drawbacks of using technology in the context of education?
Lately, my estimation of the amount of technology to be used in a classroom has been changing thanks to my AT. I remember writing a piece about six weeks ago about how traumatized I was when I walked into my CSL classroom and found out that there was no whiteboard but only a smartboard (This has changed since). I remember coming back home and thinking that I don’t think I’ll be able to go back because, though I am not a ‘Luddite’ or show technophobic leanings, my teaching is based on ‘old school principles’ as to having binders, pens, markers, a dictionary in what I call a ‘traditional classroom.’ But after giving it a second thought, I decided to take it as a challenge and to see how my AT was going to make me change my mind about technology!
The essential question here is: what can technology replace today in classrooms, and what can’t they replace? We are now in the 7th week of CSL and here is what I observed; this is a collection of entirely subjective observations.
- In my CSL classroom, most students (Grades 4,5,6) are very tech-savvy. My AT spent the first few weeks of school in September teaching them how to use google drive, the HAPARA Workspace, which enables them to organize/post their assignments and allows teachers to track their activity and progress and even give feedback.
- More recently, they were introduced to #screencastify, which means they can cast whatever is on their screens to the smartboard from where they are sitting.
- He also uses #screencastify for speech and language practice, comprehension and reflection exercises.
- Maths can be taught with Google drawings.
- To communicate with parents becomes easier.
- Be able through HAPARA to see what kids on working on from his desk, freeze their screens or tell them off if they are not supposed to be doing what they are.
However, every Wednesday, I have the same scary thought on my way back home.
Where are we heading with education? According to a recent study done by the World Economic Forum, by 2030, students will be learning from robot teachers ten times faster than today.
But I wonder, does technology encourage critical thinking? Can it boost student confidence? Can students get better grades due to technology? Can technology create scaffolds to make it easier to understand concepts or ideas? What can technology do that traditional learning tools can't? So, I decided to make a table for the pros and cons, so it’s evident in my head.
The way forward, I believe, is what some schools call ‘blended learning,’ where traditional teaching practices are mixed with tech-infused learning models. The discussion should be a nuanced one about how people learn, and what role technology can play in that process. The use of technology in the classroom doesn’t diminish the need for great teachers. In fact, good teachers know how to make using technology useful for students.
Vivienne Collinson from the Michigan State University said in a recent study that, “Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives, to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments.”{1}
Teachers are mentors who equip students with valuable life skills and inspire them to reach their potential. Technology, on the other hand, is a programmed tool and, as such, aids teachers in educating well-rounded and engaged students. It helps the user to perform the task in a better and quicker way, but it cannot make the decisions as teachers would. There is no substitute for human teachers and human instruction. Though Artificial Intelligence is “researching” how to do that, it's far from being ready.
I conclude, therefore, that technology is useless without a great teacher teaching you how and when to use it!
Vivienne Collinson from the Michigan State University said in a recent study that, “Computers do not teach children to question, to discriminate among sources of information, to weigh perspectives, to think about consequences, to bring contextual meaning to a situation, to be creative, or to make careful judgments.”{1}
Teachers are mentors who equip students with valuable life skills and inspire them to reach their potential. Technology, on the other hand, is a programmed tool and, as such, aids teachers in educating well-rounded and engaged students. It helps the user to perform the task in a better and quicker way, but it cannot make the decisions as teachers would. There is no substitute for human teachers and human instruction. Though Artificial Intelligence is “researching” how to do that, it's far from being ready.
I conclude, therefore, that technology is useless without a great teacher teaching you how and when to use it!
{1} https://www.kognity.com/blog/2017/technology-vs-teachers-can-technology-replace-teachers/
References http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb19/vol76/num05/Smart_Classroom-Tech_Integration.aspx https://wegrowteachers.com/what-technology-can-cannot-replace-in-the-classroom/ https://www.kognity.com/blog/2017/technology-vs-teachers-can-technology-replace-teachers/Edugains https://www.newyorker.com/cartoons/random/share/1558341 |