1) Tech past:
I grew up in the small town of Astoria Oregon, and although it was known how important computers and technology were, I just don't think that the school district was able to provide the number of computers needed to instill in everyone its importance. I recall that most classes did not have computers, especially if it was say, a history class. I remember from a younger age taking computer and keyboarding classes throughout middle school, however the exposure dissipated considerably once I entered high school. It seemed that most of the classes (at least throughout high school) didn't incorporate computers into the general education that we were learning at the time. Even in biology and math classes most of the assignments where performed using the old "hands on" method. Although computer technology wasn't a dominate focus of my high school education, I have always taken well to important programs and concepts.
I grew up in the small town of Astoria Oregon, and although it was known how important computers and technology were, I just don't think that the school district was able to provide the number of computers needed to instill in everyone its importance. I recall that most classes did not have computers, especially if it was say, a history class. I remember from a younger age taking computer and keyboarding classes throughout middle school, however the exposure dissipated considerably once I entered high school. It seemed that most of the classes (at least throughout high school) didn't incorporate computers into the general education that we were learning at the time. Even in biology and math classes most of the assignments where performed using the old "hands on" method. Although computer technology wasn't a dominate focus of my high school education, I have always taken well to important programs and concepts.
2) Tech present:
I think that computers technology needs to be better incorporated into the classroom at the earliest possible grade level- kindergarten. As a whole, we are kind of behind in the area of the advancement of technology in our society (we're competing with citizens of other countries for our tech jobs here), and so I think it is very important to introduce computers and knowledge about programs/computers to students when they are youngest and most easily influenced by knowledge. Kids are like sponges (especially around the age of five) and this is the prime time to encourage new insight.
I think that one of the most important reasons why we need to use current technology and programs with students, is to stimulate them in the most visual/auditory way possible to maximize their potential for learning and understanding. As a teacher one day, I will use current technology with students to better understand the process that children go through to learn different subject contents (for example: which of colors, words or numbers are more impressionable than the other). With programs designed for young children, we could find that making reading easier really is possible- with the right tools and accommodations for each grade range.
There is a world of possibilities with technology, especially if it is fully utilized in the classroom atmosphere. I recently took a class called fundamentals of elementary math and was introduced to a program for middle school students that helped better understand geometry. This program would only let you move a line if it was congruent with other lines and angles. I thought it was very helpful even for me, to see the importance of parallel and perpendicular lines and congruent and non-congruent angles, lines and shapes. If a program that was made for middle school students can help a college student like me, then I think we should definitely be introducing more of this to the next generation.
I think that computers technology needs to be better incorporated into the classroom at the earliest possible grade level- kindergarten. As a whole, we are kind of behind in the area of the advancement of technology in our society (we're competing with citizens of other countries for our tech jobs here), and so I think it is very important to introduce computers and knowledge about programs/computers to students when they are youngest and most easily influenced by knowledge. Kids are like sponges (especially around the age of five) and this is the prime time to encourage new insight.
I think that one of the most important reasons why we need to use current technology and programs with students, is to stimulate them in the most visual/auditory way possible to maximize their potential for learning and understanding. As a teacher one day, I will use current technology with students to better understand the process that children go through to learn different subject contents (for example: which of colors, words or numbers are more impressionable than the other). With programs designed for young children, we could find that making reading easier really is possible- with the right tools and accommodations for each grade range.
There is a world of possibilities with technology, especially if it is fully utilized in the classroom atmosphere. I recently took a class called fundamentals of elementary math and was introduced to a program for middle school students that helped better understand geometry. This program would only let you move a line if it was congruent with other lines and angles. I thought it was very helpful even for me, to see the importance of parallel and perpendicular lines and congruent and non-congruent angles, lines and shapes. If a program that was made for middle school students can help a college student like me, then I think we should definitely be introducing more of this to the next generation.
3) Tech future:
Well, I definitely think that the most challenging things to confront in the classroom will be a) how to cope with the different levels of learning abilities of students, and b)incorporating technology into the already existing class content and materials. The first challenge will most likely be the bigger struggle for teachers: they will have to come up with both ways to keep faster learning students occupied while others catch up, and also students that are struggling plenty of time to figure out the task at hand. Maybe the best way to do this would be to give a generalized test in the beginning of the term/school year to find the abilities of each student. Then you could create an individualized program for everyone, that will both help them through troubling areas and challenge them in areas where they should have sufficient knowledge of a subject.
The second challenge I think has more to do with teaching teachers how important it is to integrate computer technology into their own classrooms. This will be hard both because of issues with funding (example: who knows how long until we could even get one computer, in each classroom, in every public school in Oregon), and also because teachers these days don't even see the importance of technology in their own lives. Forgive me for saying it, but many teachers are kind of well, set in their ways. Continuing to evolve in the technological world will depend on both our students, and our teachers.
Print Page in IE
Well, I definitely think that the most challenging things to confront in the classroom will be a) how to cope with the different levels of learning abilities of students, and b)incorporating technology into the already existing class content and materials. The first challenge will most likely be the bigger struggle for teachers: they will have to come up with both ways to keep faster learning students occupied while others catch up, and also students that are struggling plenty of time to figure out the task at hand. Maybe the best way to do this would be to give a generalized test in the beginning of the term/school year to find the abilities of each student. Then you could create an individualized program for everyone, that will both help them through troubling areas and challenge them in areas where they should have sufficient knowledge of a subject.
The second challenge I think has more to do with teaching teachers how important it is to integrate computer technology into their own classrooms. This will be hard both because of issues with funding (example: who knows how long until we could even get one computer, in each classroom, in every public school in Oregon), and also because teachers these days don't even see the importance of technology in their own lives. Forgive me for saying it, but many teachers are kind of well, set in their ways. Continuing to evolve in the technological world will depend on both our students, and our teachers.
Jolene - Your point about preparing children for their future workplaces is very important, and one of the most compelling reasons to integrate technology in schools. Students today must have adequate tech skills in order to compete/succeed. How will they gain these skills if we don't teach them? Yes, kids will be able to text and watch YouTube without our help, but will they know how to set up a spreadsheet or collaborate with a colleague 3,000 miles away?
ReplyDelete