Greenhow wrote the article “Who are Today’s Learns?” to open up the controversial idea of using technology in the classroom. Her main concern was to pinpoint the level in which students and teachers alike feel comfortable administering and executing academic exercises. Through the process of focus groups with middle school aged students, it was made clear that students are most involved with school activities that included new age technology such as computers, but not limited to just basic computer functions such as word processing and spreadsheet programs. Student’s voiced their desire of utilizing the use of more intricate web 2.0 tools such as social interacting websites, emailing, and cell phones.
It’s really the job of the teacher to analyze their classroom and the comfort level that their students feel using this new age technology. If a classroom shows the willingness and desire to learn these technology schools then they should be implemented into the classroom to help give these kids an edge on necessary skills that will prepare them for real life readiness. In a world that relies heavily on technology to perform daily tasks, then it only makes sense to implement them into the class room. Taking into consideration the low income schools where children might not have access outside of the class room, it can be hard to require students to use things like computers. A medium has to be met between economic classes.
I feel that I personally would include these technological tools in my class in a way that fits the curriculum. Obviously you can only do so much depending on the age of the students, but pushing them as far as I could is something I want to make sure I strive to do. Something as simple as distributing homework through a class website which requires a student to log in can be useful. Using their own personal username and password can introduce a child to the use of web 2.0 benefits.
Resource
Greenhow, C. (2008, September/October). Who are today’s learners?Learning & Leading with Technology, 16-17.
Historically schools are slow in bringing technology to facilitate teaching and learning. While technology is integrated in today's work place, many teachers do not use much technology beyond e-mail and PowerPoint. That's why many educators, like the author of this article, urge schools and teachers to adopt technology in their curricula. We need to understand that today's students are different than us. They grow up in a different technology context and have unique learning needs. Using state-of-the-art technology can help with their schooling experience. However, we should not overlook the unintended consequences.
ReplyDelete