When I began reading the article, I was taken aback by Hodas' argument that schools have been unchanged for many years and that teaching has been the same thing and he also states how technology will enhance schools and bring them out of the "dark ages". Maybe I was confused when I read this but does Hodas understand that teaching techniques have changed throughout the year drastically because we have so much technology in the classroom? Teachers have also changed in their teaching methods because following standards and the constant need for high test grades have challenged and encouraged teachers to step up and find new ways for their students to learn the information and enjoy what they are learning. The chapter also focuses on how a specific school was able to use computers without having to use the internet to get the job done. They discussed different techniques students have used the computer for such as note taking setting up a paper, and having editing done on their paper which are all great to have a computer for but I feel that the purpose of computers offers so much more than just the basics.
When I read this article all I could think of is how much more information and variety the internet can bring to the classroom. In a tech-savvy world, students need to know how to use the internet and what kind of information and tools the internet provides for everyone. Having a Promethean Board in my classroom this year and being able to use the internet for interactive games and fun videos helped me in promoting specific lessons and information as well as reaching all my diverse learners in an attempt to have all students paying attention and following along. In terms of worrying about students being social and going off to do their own thing, schools these days have websites such as Facebook and even Google Images blocked so students cannot gain access to them. Overall, I felt like maybe this chapter was a bit outdated in terms of how a classroom works and what the internet has to offer students. I know it was a specific school with a special case but if those teachers knew what they were missing out on in terms of all the internet has to offer students maybe they would be able to create more interactive and fun lessons that their students can personally connect to and find joy in.
Blaise I really like your idea of the internet providing more information but I just dont think there is anyway to monitor what all of the students are doing. There would just be too much surfing and worried about other things. I agree with you that the internet offers valuable information, but I would have trouble keeping the students focused.
ReplyDeleteAlthough many teachers implement new ways of teaching, most classrooms that I have visited seem to be doing things much the same way as they have always been done. I think that what Hoda sees as being "unchanged" in the classroom are things like: many classrooms are still teacher-centered where all students are looking at one thing for information like the markerboard, the LCD screen, or Promethean board. If students are not looking at this one thing, they are considered off-task. Students are often working on the same project (or worksheet) simultaneiously, so again, it's easier to tell when they are off-task. Also, I remember the chapter mentioning testing. Because the tests are the same ol' knowledge based, regurgitating of information, students have to switch back to paper and pencil tests because it was too easy for them to sweep the internet for those basic answers. Instead of changing the test, they left the test the same.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that students need to be able to survive in a tech-savy world, and I'm glad you are utilizing the internet in your classroom! :D ...but the students at my school have already figured out how to "un-hitch the lock" to the blocked websites like Facebook, YouTube, etc...and it's actually pretty easily done. I've even done it when I wanted to use a video from YouTube as part of my lesson. (I already had the video pulled up so kids wouldn't see how I did it...but 75% of them already know anyway...and the ones who don't know how to would be the ones that wouldn't get on those sites anyway.)
I agree with Erin on this. I think you have misunderstood what Leander meant by "unchanged". His greatest argument was that school space-time has remain unchanged. Students are expected to follow the text-talk-text model with the teacher playing the authority on the matter. For example, the Joy Luck Club assignment showed that the teacher still remained the authority on the text by providing the students with step-by-step instructions on how to investigate Chinese culture related to the text. The Internet was not give any authority in the matter despite the plethora of web sites that exist on Chinese culture.
ReplyDeleteI think that changing classroom dynamics is part of the issue. Teachers do still tend to be the center of things, and I am tinkering with that some in this class, with having you respond to each other. I am hoping this creates some sort of learning network and is not just busywork. It remains to be seen how this will work out, but there are multiple authorities out there, not just teachers or websites, but also peers and students.
ReplyDeleteIs the point of teaching technology to lecture better? Maybe. But learning with technology also has other aspects that are not so top-down or expert based. This is frustrating way for some of us to learn, I understand. And I am certain some of you are annoyed with me for providing no blog support other than "figure it out." I am not sure this would work with struggling students, but I guess that depends on what they struggle with...