Friday, January 6, 2012
pros and cons
I realize this isn't yet a video post, but I was reading this NYTimes room for debate feature on technology in schools earlier this week. It was tied to an article on a mandate in Idaho for particular types of tech use in the classroom, which is receiving some significant push-back from teachers (and others). Thoughts?
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I especially like Will Richardson's quote: "Let’s face it: For my children and for millions like them, life will be an open phone test." So knowing how to use mobile technology wisely is an important part of the education we can offer our students.
ReplyDeleteI HATE change. I am so comfortable with my predictable, everyday, routine life and I HATE when anything disrupts that. I think we are seeing something disrupt the everyday educational tool mentality and I think there are a lot of people who are reacting just becase (like me) they HATE change. I'm leery about the influx of technology and the expectation that I'm going to be able to teach everything I have to teach along with understanding and using technology. However, I think that the gut reaction is just that- a gut reaction based on the fear that things could change. Granted, there are many good reasons WHY to push back a bit.
ReplyDeleteCase in point- real observation today in the hallway. Girl student says to other girl student: I think it was false, false, true, false, true, true...(you get the drift).
Other student: oh, but what about this?
Girl student: Do you have your phone? I'll just text you.
So yeah, we do need to beware. But things are changing and we need to decide how we're going to deal with it not just stand with our hands in the air. I think some of the changes are good. I think our teachers are making more authentic assignments and assessments that hopefully cannot be passed from phone-to-phone. I think teachers are trying to take the time to step back and think through standards and expectations and theory.
Time will tell.