The introduction and first two chapters of our Personal Learning Network book highlight the changes taking place in education, give recommendations for adjusting to and handling the changes, and encourage appropriate use of technology. Within the chapters, the necessity for continuous teacher growth and development in the implementation and uses of technology is emphasized.
The introduction mentions the changes in technology and tools occurring "with dizzying speed" and I couldn't agree more (Richardson & Mancabelli, 2011, p. 6). Being in education for 19 years, I have witnessed many changes in the classroom. During my first year of teaching, I had a portable chalkboard (yes, it was on wheels) and no computer at all in my room. Wow, as I teach in my current room with 30 computers and observe students using technology, it is very different now.
Students truly do not know a world without personal technology and social networking. My building is not a BYOD school, so students still detach themselves from their devices for the entire school day. For many, this causes great distress and anxiety to be "disconnected" from the outside world. However, for as tech savvy as my 6th graders are, they find it hard to utilize all the educational advantages that technology offers. I can confirm what Richardson and Mancabelli (2011) say about students being knowledgeable about social networking, but not knowing "how to use these tools for learning," (p. 7). I'm sure when student knowledge and maturity allow them to utilize all features, they will be amazed at what they are able to accomplish! The quote about the educational shift from Stephen Downes in Chapter 1, immediately made me think about Common Core. With the help of technology, reaching the goal of students taking charge of their own learning will certainly be easier (Richardson & Mancabelli, 2011, p. 21).
I like that Chapter 2 addresses the possible tools that may be used and the responsibility that comes with their use. Being a responsible digital citizen is a topic I try to emphasize each day to my students. "If you put something in digital form, you can't assume it won't be shared" is frightening but must be considered (Richardson & Mancabelli, 2011, p. 38). Many students (and adults) sometimes forget this and can later regret previous posts or pictures they shared. As this chapter discussed the various tools that can be used for learning, I am excited to explore the ones I haven't previously used. It is my hope that by modeling proper use and providing guidance, my students will be also be eager to use these tools in the classroom to collaborate and learn.
Richardson, W., & Mancabelli, R. (2011). Personal learning networks: using the power of connections to transform education. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
I apologize for my earlier incomplete post. I accidentally hit "Publish" instead of "Preview". Sorry!
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteI taught my first 4 years at a private Christian school; my classroom was the same and that was only 2007! I have a whiteboard on wheels and no computer. By my third year I had a computer my classroom was in the black hole of internet. I was lucky to get internet a few times a week. This school year is the first time I've worked in a school that has technology (my first public school job). I am so happy to have taken the classes that I have at MoBap because without them I would be lost with technology.
Katie Rathmell
Deb,
ReplyDeleteI do like to hear the comparison of teaching tools from those of yesterday to those of today - it really makes you think about how fast everything advances with the use of technology. I do feel that there is a "dizzying" occurring in the classrooms because of the amount of tools as well as the differences between them. Francis Howell has been dedicating their professional development days/topics technology tools which can be implemented into the classroom. Even though we have this PD time, I think it would be beneficial for schools and districts to have wikis dedicated to posted student work using technology. The teachers could view other works and make connections with other teachers in the district when deciding which tools to use. I feel that is the district provides professional development on a few select technology tools and continues ongoing professional development, the "dizzying" effect may vanish (for the most part). I found this information interesting concerning how the state department plans to introduce and integrate technology in the future - http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/techplan/gettingstarted.htm. School districts, schools, or even grade levels could follow this outline to focus on technology in the near future.
Kristen Cotner
Kristen,
DeleteI liked the DESE site that you shared. The plan seems very possible with the exception of funding. I think most districts desire to improve their technology but finding the money to do so is challenging. It is a very exciting time to be a teacher with more change occurring at a faster rate than I have ever experienced. I think the involvement in a PLN is going to be essential to continue to grow and develop professionally, so the classroom can be a place where the maximum amount of learning can occur.
I enjoyed hearing about Francis Howell's PD topics. That is incredible that everyone seems to be on the same page! I think your idea of a wiki to demonstrate actual technology use in the classroom is a great idea. One of the aspects of the MET that I'm enjoying is hearing how people use various web tools in their rooms and adapting them to meet my curriculum and students' needs. A district wiki would provide this same opportunity for all the district's staff members. I hope you have shared this idea with your district. I might do the same with mine, if you don't mind. :)
Deb
I also tuned in to the line about kids knowing how to use technology, but that they need more guidance with how to use it for learning. I see children with devices in their hands constantly, but it's mostly for playing a game on an app. I am so excited to go to the METC conference in Feb. because there is a session for researching using technology. Our district's new units of study have a lot of need for research built in, but our students do not know how to navigate or read a website. They focus on adds, or think the only information is on the home page. It's a necessary first step to show them how to actually skim and look for key words, or how to ignore ads. Playing games is first nature to all of them. Using a website to learn something new is as foreign to them as using a real encyclopedia.
ReplyDeleteI too agree with your statement about how our students know how to use technology for entertainment, but not for education. Each year in our computer class the students have to do some internet research. It is amazing to me how the students don't have the ability to look things up or find necessary information. However, if I put an iPAD in front of them they can figure out how to use any App better than I can. We have started doing weekly blogs through Kidblog so that the students are getting more exposure to using technology for learning. I can honestly say they love it. If I were to have them do the same tasks on paper, I would get nothing but complaints. As soon as I tell them we are writing on their blogs, they are ecstatic! As soon as they get logged in they are ready to go.
ReplyDeleteDeb it was interesting to hear how back in the day you had a chalk board in which you needed to push around. Deb I realize as we are entering a society where technology is attached to us at all times. It is weird that not more than 20 years ago technology was something we could live without and still feel connected to the world. I know this weekend with all the traveling I have been doing I do not know what I would have done without my phone having BB on it and Blogger and even Skype. I know back 10 years ago I wouldn't have worried so much about having my iPhone or Ipad, but
ReplyDeleteAmy I agree with you the first nature with using any device is playing games. I know as soon as it is time for me to turn the SmartBoard on in my classroom there are a select few who say can we please play a game..... and I have to remind them its time to learn. We can play a game later. But I think some parents use the computer like our parents used to use the TV as a babysitter. So yes kids just really know games and little about learning.