This was a very interesting chapter to read because it presented
technology is a different light than most of us would have originally viewed
it. The first thing I found interesting was Hodas argued that school
structure and teaching practice has remained substantially unchanged for
seven hundred years. We do not see the standard lined desks and teacher sitting
behind their desk anymore. This new generation of teachers and schools is
encouraging a kinesthetic approach to learning. Schools are now requiring hands
on learning and have to find strategic ways to use technology as an advantage
to the learning styles of the students.
One statement I
supported strongly is the idea of distraction, is even more
strongly related to the notion of the problem of the internet being a mode
for communication rather than information. Outside of the classroom, this
distraction is not a problem. Inside the classroom is completely different. In
all levels of education, there are text messages and skype videos being used
during lessons. There are also problems of test cheating and writing plagiarism
are seen as supported by the internet as an open text space. It is tough
for teachers to rely upon technology to present information if the
communication problem exists. Another problem I agree with through the laptops is
they were responsible for the classroom losing its “unity,”
“personality,” and “spark”. One of the best parts of being a teacher is getting
to know the children and seeing their reaction to certain lessons and
activities. You can lose the student voice when placed behind a computer screen.
The distraction issue IS a big one. I agree. However, I don't feel like it should be the cause of shutting down the Internet. I feel like it's something that needs to be addressed in the classroom, through teacher monitoring, etc... And I know that it's hard to do, but I also know it can be done because I have done it. If students know that you are checking, and they see others get caught, they are less likely to do it.
ReplyDeleteI also think it would be a good idea to have a discussion and then to challenge them to conduct an experiment. Ask them if they beleive that sometimes it is okay to work on one thing while chatting and checking Facebook etc... Ask them if there's ever a time when it's not okay. Have them hit a stop watch every time the switch to a "distracting" task...then have them reflect on how much time all those conversations or status updates (or whatever else) actually took...and if it was a good thing or not....or if their mind was occupied by waiting to hear what the other person said back, or if someone was going to "like" their status.... Again, this is something they need to learn for when they leave your classroom too. They need to be aware that time adds up, and that when you don't have much time to complete an assignment (especially in college or in a career), those little distractions can really matter. They need to learn how to choose the better path....
I agree with you that technology has its place in the classroom, but I think there should be strict limits, rules, and boundaries set. I know this would not alleviate all the problems, but at least they know what was expected of them. I consider myself only "ok" at multitasking, but thinking back to my middle and high school years I would have been horrible at it! I liked how you talked about unity too. The classroom atomosphere is so important. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you brought up a great point that it can limit voice...I think that both should play an important role in the classroom, but you can't replace face to face discussion. The content would rarely go in depth. I also agree that the internet can be a distraction, even as a college student. While I think monitoring would be a great idea, students need to learn accountability...We shouldn't have to monitor them all the time, but that might mean that some end up doing poorly because of lack of focus.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I struggle with most in this class is trying to figure out how much interaction is needed to make up for the lack of face-to-face time. Is me commenting on your blogs enough? It takes a lot of time to read and respond, but is it as responsive as a real time conversation?
ReplyDeleteI think in the end, an education requires that we have some mix of things, some online interactions mixed with personal ones, reading and writing opportunities, times for group and solo work. I don't ever want to see things go all the way in one direction, because that would create a one-sided view of learning and acting.
I agree students have to be responsible for managing distraction and getting their work done, and I think it's a big part of our job to set them up for success. Whether they work for it or not is on them then.
I agree with Erin. In the high school setting it is hard enough to keep them concentrated on a single lesson without talking, trying to text, or sleeping. So giving my students the opportunity to surf the entire web and keep them focused would be difficult, but in that same sense is that not our job as educators? To overcome all the obstacles that are thrown at us in order to give our students the best possible education.
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