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| 7 ways to get funding and grants for technology in your classroom [Image]. (2013). Retrieved from http://nutmegeducation.com/2013/07/29/7-ways-to-get-funding-and-grants-for-technology-in-your-classroom/ |
In contemporary society, technology has become ever-present and advances in
technology are happening constantly. Technology provides us with new and
enhanced capabilities and has become a new way of thinking (Drake, Reid, &
Kolohon, 2014). The prevalence of technology globally has created a new culture
of learning; a culture in which technology can be used as a tool to engage students
and enhance their learning. Due to the increasing
advancements of technology, teachers have begun to include it in schools quite
heavily for activities such as keeping blogs, social networking, and student learning
through educational apps. Additionally, a growing number of school districts
now have policies in place to support students in bringing their own devices to
school for the purposes of learning (Drake et al., 2014). Students are even
beginning to take part in blended classrooms which includes an education
program delivered in part through online delivery and in part in a location
away from the home (Staker & Horn, 2012).
Technology works best when it facilitates
and enhances learning. One of the most interesting ways that
teachers have incorporated technology into the classroom that I have witnessed is
through an activity called “Mystery Skype.” School boards have begun to promote
classrooms that are global in nature (Drake et al., 2014). By collaborating
with other students from around the world, this is the perfect way to do this! “Mystery
Skype” is a global guessing game, devised by teachers, to be played between two
classrooms around the world (O’Connell, 2013). The goal of the activity is to
guess the location of the other class by asking them geographical questions in
a “20 Questions” style (Todd, 2015). Lessons must be completed before the
activity, as students must have prior knowledge about their local history and
geography so that they can
appropriately answer the questions that the other class asks. I believe that
this activity is great as it incorporates a variety of subjects, including
history, geography, and language. It also allows students to practice deductive
reasoning, inquiry, listening skills, and problem solving. At the same time, they learn about the culture, climate, history,
and the diverse population of another region and become more globally-educated
citizens.
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| Mystery skype [Photograph]. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.classroomquests.com/2013/03/mystery-skype.html |
This is an activity that I would really like to incorporate into my
future classroom as it allows students to become more technologically literate
and works to create citizens who value learning about the diversity in the
world. I think it would be important as the teacher to guide and facilitate,
while allowing the students to do the inquiry and problem solving on their own.
I know teachers who have incorporated this activity into their grade 6 class,
but I wonder, at what age is this appropriate to use in a classroom? Could it
be implemented for students younger than grade 6?
Additionally, the use of iPads in
classrooms to enhance learning is becoming more popular. This video shows some of the benefits of using iPads for learning in the classroom.
Why use iPads in education? [Video]. (2013).
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_6TcE4-65E
By using iPads,
students can explore, create, collaborate, and communicate (Drake et al.,
2014). In fact, some apps have proven to be transformational for educators. For example, iPad apps have had an influence on student work, collaboration,
differentiated instruction, and communication (Drake et al., 2014). I
have often been in schools that have class sets of iPads that teachers can sign out. Because
most activities on the iPad that I have seen have been done in pairs, students
are given an opportunity to collaborate and interact with peers to solve
interactive problems. Teachers can use the technology to provide students with hands-on
ways to learn through gaming and social networks. Below is a great link to some of the best educational iPad apps for students from K-6:
For example, apps such as iMovie and ThingLink can be used to create media presentations or used for project-based learning within the classroom and Garage Band could be used in music class for composition and arrangement.
One of the downsides related to including technology
in the classroom is that not all students or schools have equal access to
technology or the Internet. Teachers who are in schools in low-income communities or who have students
from low-income families may not have access to this kind of technology because
they are unable to afford it. This poses an issue as an important aspect of
education is equality; however, when it comes to technology, this is not the
case. Although I have not experienced this issue in the schools I have worked
in so far, I know that it is a very real issue and I wonder how teachers can
incorporate technology into their classes in different ways if they are lacking some of the resources. How can we advance towards a culture of learning through technology
when there is not equal access for all?
Additionally, as we move towards using technology
more in the classroom, it is extremely important that teachers teach students
about the ethical and responsible use of technology so that they can be digital
citizens. The following video provides some quick tips for teachers and explains why teaching digital citizenship is important in the twenty-first century:
Why teach digital citizenship? [Video]. (2011).
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm5qka9cFTQ
On a related note, it is important to remind students to "THINK" before they use technology so that they become digital citizens.
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| Think poster [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/02/0d/1e020de9d7076cb9d71258b613601793.jpg |
Educators must embrace the use of technology in the classroom for instruction,
exploration, and assessment of learning as we move towards a highly
technological age. As future educators, we can professionally develop by
staying updated on new ways to incorporate technology
into the classroom so that our students can continue to become technologically literate individuals.
References
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.
Common Sense Education [Common
Sense Education]. (2011, September 7). Why teach digital
citizenship? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm5qka9cFTQ
James Long [James Long]. (2013,
June 11). Why use iPads in education? [Video file]. Retrieved
Staker, H., & Horn, M. B. (2012). Classifying K-12
Blended Learning. Innosight Institute.
O’Connell, J. (2013, September 10). Mystery skype for a
global adventure [Web log post]. Retrieved from
Todd, B. (2015, June 11). Mystery skype: Design phase [Web
log post]. Retrieved from
TeachThought Staff (2013). 44 education apps for K-6 open-ended learning on the iPad.
Retrieved from
7
ways to get funding and grants for technology in your classroom [Image].
(2013). Retrieved
Mystery
skype [Photograph]. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.classroomquests.com/2013/03/mystery-skype.html
Think
poster [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/02/0d/1e020de9d7076cb9d71258b613601793.jpg
Kelsey, I really enjoyed the topic you chose for this post as it is definitely relevant in today’s classrooms and the wider society. The pictures and videos you included in your blog really helped provide a better understanding of what technology in the classroom could like and showed just how much it can impact students’ educational experiences. I strongly believe that more technology needs to be incorporated in the classroom. When I was in elementary school, we had a separate class for “computers” where we would play educational games, learn how to use KidPix, or practice our typing using All The Right Type. I remember that whenever it was time to go into the computer lab for the hour, every single student in my class would be excited. This was the only time that we were able to use technology, and I think it is unfortunate that we weren’t able to incorporate it into our daily classroom activities as it truly would have motivated and engaged us in our learning even more. I absolutely loved the idea of “Mystery Skype” that you mentioned in your post. I have never heard of something like that but definitely think it is a great way to use technology in the classroom, learn about diversity and the world around us, and to integrate several areas of the curriculum to practice required skills. There are many benefits to using technology in the classroom and I think it is important that students are given the chance to use and experiment with it for a number of learning activities, especially since our future will become even more dependent on it. However, I do have a few concerns and questions for you. What are the negative aspects of using technology in the classroom? Do you think there could be too much technology in the classroom to where it might replace teaching? What if technology becomes a major source of distraction for some (or all) students, how would we manage this type of situation?
ReplyDeleteGreat post Kelsey! I found it interesting because technology is such a big thing in education now. I haven’t gone into a placement that didn't use technology on a regular basis to it is important that as teachers we learn now to use it effectively with students. I agree that technology can be very beneficial to all students as they are very interested in using the different forms of technology and they can work collaboratively like you mentioned. In one of my placements at a grade 2 level they did an activity with classroom assigned IPads were every student would do a “I wonder” (I talked about this in my blog post as well). The students would be allowed to research any topic they wanted on their IPad and make a presentation to teach the other students about the topic they chose. This helps incorporate inquiry-based learning or project-based learning like you mentioned in your post, as well as the students were so engaged and interested in the project it allowed them to learn more. Also, I love how you talked about the “Mystery Skype”, like my first blog post, I think its important to use technology like Skyping to introduce students to different cultures and diversity. The game you described is really interesting because it not only shows students different classrooms around the world, but it has them using problem-solving, asking questions, and inquiry to learn more about different places. To your question about if this could be used in grades younger than 6 I think it could! If you gave students enough guidance and maybe went over some questions that they could potentially ask then I think younger grades would be more than capable of doing this activity. I think that in your post you added the “Mystery Skype” because it gives us a unique and creative example of how technology can be used in the classroom. However, I agree that technology can be problematic with lower-income schools and not having the resources to use as much technology. In a placement I was in the students brought their own devices in to use however one student did not have one. This student seemed upset when students were working on their own devices when she didn't have her own. This is an example of were technology can be problematic in certain situations. Also, do you think there are any other problems with using technology? Is there a certain point were technology can be overused in the classroom?
ReplyDeleteOne idea you mentioned that intrigued me is the concept of blended classes where part of the course is delivered online and part in a location away from the house. This reminded me of a video we watched in lecture about a science class where the teacher had their students watch online videos and tutorials before coming to class so they could learn concepts and ideas at home and then when they came together in the classroom they could spend their time doing hands on activities and experiments, indulged in exploration, making connections, and further inquiry. This is just another unique way that utilizing technology within the classroom can help enhance the learning experience. I think the idea of technology “enhancing” the educational experience is key! I am always wary of using technology in the classroom because it is so prevalent in all other aspects of our lives but I believe that if we are using it for a deliberate purpose and not just for the sake of using it, it can be very beneficial.
ReplyDeleteThe example you brought up about Mystery Skype seems like an awesome and innovative way to do just that! I have heard multiple times about classes using Skype to connect with other students across the globe and although I can see how this activity would be exciting for students and a memorable experience, I didn’t really understand what the real significance of doing this could be: What’s the point? So reading about this example really made me see the light and see a practical and purposeful educational use for this type of exercise. I actually love the concept and would use it in my own classroom. I know you said this is something you would consider using in your own classroom but do you foresee any potential issues with an activity like this? Personally I just think about how excitable some kids can get and how the noise level could frequently and radically rise out of control on either side of the call. Also even just the issue of technical difficulties! I know when I’ve used Skype to talk to people in the same city as me that I have had extreme technical difficulties that have made communication near impossible. What would you do in these instances? I really like this idea but I have a hard time thinking of other ways to make using Skype a meaningful activity to further learning and understanding! Do you know of any other meaningful ways you could incorporate Skype-ing internationally with other classes?