Classroom Technology: Friend of Foe

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   Jacqueline4390posted 9 years ago

   
   Technology has touched every aspect of our lives: home, work, shopping and the classroom just to mention a few situations. Even when going to McDonald’s; the staff wouldn’t be able to hand out change without technology. Are all these aids stifling the ability of our students to “think on their own”? Should the classroom teach using both technology and “traditional” methods?
   
   What do you think?

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have mixed feelings.  I LOVE technology!  It has done EVER so much to improve my life!  On the other hand, it bothers me to see elementary school children using calculators to do basic arithmetic.  Also, if you have a class of brats who insist on playing video games rather than doing their work, it can be a drag on the teacher.  Once a couple of brats crashed their computers by bringing up a porno site.  Hopefully, the school learned how to block those.

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         Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Young people should know how to do the basics before advancing to high tech. I agree that under the wrong circumstances it can become a liability and not an access. I remember the Oregon Trail PC Game. Now that was a fun way to learn history.

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      rebekahELLEposted 9 years agoin reply to this

        I don't think it's technology that stifles a students ability to think on their own.  Technology can aid a student in learning how to think. I find that using both traditional methods and the incredible technology that is available help to merge the learning process.  Technology will not only help to determine our future, but it will also define it.  Young students now have an amazing opportunity to learn more than ever imagined.

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         Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         This is true but its good to know how to do things manually if ever there is a power failure or the system goes down. Even when I worked for the government we had instances when the system was down.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Due to freezing conditions the schools in Nashville have closed. The "air brakes" on 50 school buses have frozen due to water making driving safely impossible. Have no fear ... technology to the rescue. Instead of giving the kids an unscheduled break let them do some research on the Internet. Hmm, if their parents have to still go to work; who is going to make sure they spend their time wisely?

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   littlethingposted 9 years ago

   It really depends. I think in younger grades, say below 6th or 7th grade, technology should be left outside the classroom. Sure, Smartboards and projectors are one thing. A tablet for each student is a little excessive that young. They need to learn how to study, do basic math, reading, and writing without that stuff. The closer you get to high school, the more you might be able to consider it. Once you get up there, then the students will more likely need something like that. Many high schools are working with computer programming, robotics, and a whole bunch of neat, technology driven things.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Those are excellent points. Thank you.

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   jeffryvposted 9 years ago

   http://www.learninguntethered.com/wp-co … rsonal.pdf

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      littlethingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I did a quick skim of this, and it looks to be a very interesting read. I am somewhat involved with my local school system, and this is one of the fights that is actually going on right now. One point of interest is the difference this can make in Special Education. Many Special Ed students like using the technology more, because it can make communication much easier.

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         Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Technology can and does make learning easier especially when working with the exceptional students. My concern is when students are at a "stand still" when there is total reliance on technology. When there are learning limitations it can become a necessity but what about the students who abuses it?

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            littlethingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            There are students who abuse the current system. How many students idly doodle or work on other things during class? Many now play on their phones. Before that it was passing notes. I am concerned that this will make it far too easy to come to that stand still. It's becoming harder to tell if the students are on task One facet that I didn't consider before is the parents role with this. Apparently, many schools use certain educational websites for homework and such. Some use websites to communicate with parents instead of regular email. One parent mentioned having five different sites to check. It's enough to make your head spin.  You have some great  ideas and comments by the way. 

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               Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

               Thanks for your valued input. I am sitting here watching the Weather Channel in their updates on the snow storms and they are saying that Snow Days are soon going to be a thing of the past since a lot of teachers are putting assignments on the websites and schools are disbursing tablets to students.
               
               Now a lot of parents don't have "Snow Days" and will have to risk it going to work. Who is going to oversee the assignments that are posted on the web? That's a lot of responsibility to put on a student who is already distracted by "Angry Birds" and "Candy Crush." Does this mean that parents are going to have to take a more active role in making sure their children actually do school work? Hmm ... that can be a plus ... maybe.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      If I am not mistaken this article is about 5th graders using Android technology. I am concerned regarding the discipline level of 5th graders to focus on assignments. I will admit that there is a necessity of technology in schools but it is also going to require a level of discipline that may prove difficult for a lot of younger minds. Even adults  get sidetrack by the occasional game (yep ... me, too but only on breaks and lunch when I worked outside of the home.)
      
      Teachers as well as parents have a job ahead of them.

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   littlethingposted 9 years ago

   Very true. I'm definitely not against doing this stuff by hand.  There are perks and drawbacks to this. I really don't think kids should get this sort of technology until they are at least high school age. The one exception being special education students or those who have a medical problem who need it. I had a friend who broke her dominant hand taking care of her horses. The school gave her a laptop to take notes on while her hand was healing.

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   - a new world is on its way. The kids themselves will define it. Technology will be used for good and evil in ways not possible to imagine now. I shudder.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I am thinking about this as well. Especially, when technology is getting more advanced and we are putting this potential in the hands of students who may be facing issues already. Imagine a teen being able to hack into their parents' bank accounts and withdrawing money at will. Think this is science fiction ... maybe not? They are available to advance technology ...

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