I began this course with great apprehension, although I usually can accomplish my tasks using a computer, my skill level is that of a novice. After the first lesson and completing the assignments I feel a little more comfortable.
After reading the opposing articles regarding technology, I realize that by not utilizing every available piece of technology that I am doing my students a disservice. Perhaps this course can help me fulfill the skill sets needed to better educate these students. I also learned that by changing some existing strategies and tweaking them into the digital realm that students will be better motivated to learn. The story of the CAD-CAM software company was intriguing in that even sophisticated engineers were responding with success to a video teaching game. I could only envision with envy what success my class would have if I had something available like that.
After reading the article on Digital Natives, I never realized how much this generation relied on all of this technology. It finally hit me while I was walking the halls in school after reading these articles that I noticed how many students were self absorbed with smart phones or some type of musical device. It was then that I finally understood what the author was referring to when he described this generation and their link with technology.
With the limited resources in my classroom and the social-economic hardships some of my students are experiencing, I find that by limiting the use of technology such as blogs or internet searches limited only to the classroom the best method as of this time. This way, my economically depressed students do not feel excluded from any coursework.
I'm very happy to see that you are already experiencing success in areas of technology use that somewhat unfamiliar to you. That's part of the design strategy, so that students build on prior successes, as you embark on more advanced and sophisticated projects.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that technology should only be required when all students are provided with equal access. As you have noted, many students are online practically all day, but other students may not have the means to do that. They should not be made to feel excluded, so I agree with your methods.