I grew up and attended school during a time when technology was changing at a rapid rate. It seemed like every new school year brought a new piece of technology being incorporated into the classroom. For example, I remember being in first grade (2001) and receiving a report card written on a typewriter and then, in second grade (2002), I received a report card that was typed on a computer and printed. Obviously, that's not all. I have seen the phasing out of overhead projectors and the rise and embrace of ELMO projectors in the classroom. I have seen computer screens in computer labs become thinner and thinner before my eyes. I also remember the frustrations of dealing with turnitin.com when I got into high school. (By the way, is that still around?) Since I have witnessed these changes as well as many more, I can see the pros and cons to this rapid change of technology in education.
A pro to technological advances in education is that it can improve a student's understanding of a lesson or a subject. I have seen IXL used a lot in classrooms and I feel it's a great way for students to refine what they've already learned. It can also be used for practice if a student is still struggling with a subject. Because it's practice, it wouldn't hurt the student's grade. Another pro to technology in education is that it can encourage creativity. My background is in music so this is highly applicable to me. I have seen many of my friends in high school improve their musical ability by using GarageBand on Macs. Composition programs like Sibelius have made songwriting and composing so much easier for students to do.
On the flip side, a con I can think of is that if students are not being monitored while they're working, there's a chance they could be distracted or be on websites they're not allowed to be on. This is obviously an issue and a possible liability depending on what the student is doing or looking up. Another con is that I feel like a teacher could use technology as a cop out if they aren't prepared. This would be an issue because it is wasting a student's potential to grow. Also, I think it could ruin a teacher-student relationship as there is no cooperation between the two and it would make the teacher appear as not approachable.
Technology changes quickly. However, the role of teachers do not. As teachers, I feel it is important to remember our role in the classroom and that technology is supplementary.
A pro to technological advances in education is that it can improve a student's understanding of a lesson or a subject. I have seen IXL used a lot in classrooms and I feel it's a great way for students to refine what they've already learned. It can also be used for practice if a student is still struggling with a subject. Because it's practice, it wouldn't hurt the student's grade. Another pro to technology in education is that it can encourage creativity. My background is in music so this is highly applicable to me. I have seen many of my friends in high school improve their musical ability by using GarageBand on Macs. Composition programs like Sibelius have made songwriting and composing so much easier for students to do.
On the flip side, a con I can think of is that if students are not being monitored while they're working, there's a chance they could be distracted or be on websites they're not allowed to be on. This is obviously an issue and a possible liability depending on what the student is doing or looking up. Another con is that I feel like a teacher could use technology as a cop out if they aren't prepared. This would be an issue because it is wasting a student's potential to grow. Also, I think it could ruin a teacher-student relationship as there is no cooperation between the two and it would make the teacher appear as not approachable.
Technology changes quickly. However, the role of teachers do not. As teachers, I feel it is important to remember our role in the classroom and that technology is supplementary.
What is IXL? I have never heard of that. I do agree with you on the students not being monitored properly and wondering onto inappropriate websites. Yes, teachers do need to remember that technology is secondary and not there to take the place of the teacher.
ReplyDeleteIXL is an app that determines what a student's level is in math and language arts and caters lessons to their level. It is really useful for students who struggle get more practice.
Delete