Week Four Blog: Technology and Student Engagement
Week Four Blog: Technology and Engagement
This week’s article discussed how
bringing technology into the classroom increased student engagement. Technology allows for learning to go beyond
the four walls of a classroom and more collaboration among students and
teachers. More specifically, they mentioned G Suite for Education and code.org,
where students are taking “…what they find and
show teachers what they know.” Furthermore, coding was touched upon because of
the growing necessity for it to be taught in school since those are the skills
students are going to need when they enter the job force. The article stated: “A lot of research will tell you if you’re
not teaching coding to young children, it’s like teaching them not to read.”
That statement caught my attention for two reasons- 1. How much is coding being
taught in schools; and 2. I have NO idea how to code…does that make me
unskilled or unskilled in the future? With that aside, simply integrating technology
into the classroom can offer several benefits to ESL students and every child
because of all the assistance and opportunities technology provides. Those opportunities include multiple dimensions
of learning and assessing, student interests, hands on learning, and learning
being conducted anytime and anywhere.
The article focused on a school
district that plans to base schooling around the workshop method, which
includes an opening, mini-lesson, work period, and debriefing period. Their
focus is around the concept of digital learning and student engagement. While I
feel that technology and student discovery in learning are important realms in
education, I think it sounds better on paper then in action. I create lessons where my seniors have to
find what they learn and develop something, however I do not know how much they
are truly obtaining. They simply click
on the first website under Google and copy and paste the paragraph…no matter
how many times I go over how to research properly. In addition, students email
or share their work with classmates, who then submit that work…which can be
traced back and brought up, but again not much learning is occurring that way.
Finally, the article talks about
generation gaps between teachers and students and how some teachers are not as
tech savvy in general or as tech savvy as the students. This can create barriers within the classroom
since teachers who were teaching prior to the technology revolution will
struggle teaching with technology.
Therefore, schools need to offer professional developments to ensure all
teachers feel confident in teaching with technological tools. Personally, at
times I feel less tech savvy than my students and at first I almost felt
embarrassed, however the students enjoy helping and it allows them to use their
tech skills in real life.
You always hear "tech increases student engagement". There has been a ton of research to prove this point. I always agreed with the statement and believed it to be true, however I didn't recognize just how much power tech has when trying to engage students until this past year. I would find that when I told my students we wouldn't be using iPads/computers for a specific activity they were disappointed and demanded to know why. Kids have come to expect the use of technology because that is what they are accustomed to outside of the classroom. As you mentioned there will always be some struggles for teachers who aren't digital natives, but hopefully districts recognize the need for professional development and IT assistance for teachers. This year I really pushed coding with my students. My first personal experience was with code.org. I was so proud of myself when I wrote code for a Star Wars game for the first time. I can only imagine how it makes students feel. Code.org is a great resources for teachers and students. I enroll my third graders in the coding course, which they complete at their own pace. Also, I have kids practice coding our various classroom robots, Bloxels, and participate in unplugged coding activities. Coding is one of the most popular stations in my room. I loved the quote the article mentioned equating learning to code is as important as learning to read. However, it is terrifying at the same time, as it isn't being taught enough in our schools today. I enjoyed reading your post, as it provides a lot to think about.
ReplyDeleteI have thought the same thing you mentioned about reading and coding. Coding has been a talked about skill for the past few years and still I have no clue. I have done some those learn to code online trainings just out of curiosity and I like puzzles and challenges, but even after that complete one hour of code, I still feel like I know nothing. I do wondering if that needs to be taught to students (what class and what age group). How could it be worked into my class? Found your article and blog very interesting. Shared many similar thoughts.
ReplyDelete