Unfortunately, I
was about 10 minutes late for class today, and missed the introduction
lesson. Luckily, I have some very kind
classmates who filled me in on what I missed.
To begin, we watched a brief video, Life on Ipad. You can check it out below.
It was interesting,
because as I watched the video later, I couldn't help but think about all the
cool things that I had done in the past that I wished I could have had Ipad or
Iphone technology for (for example, photos of all the magnificent places I have
been lucky enough to visit, GPS all those times I was lost in different
countries, really the list could go on forever)! Even as I look at my life now, how much I
depend on my Iphone for everyday life is basically shocking! The technologies that are at our fingertips
each and every day is really life altering and life changing and all of these
i-technologies have really led the way (for example, Iphone, Ipad). It really is a prime example of a disruptive
technology in our ever changing technological world.
As I think about
how this impacts my teaching practice it is really very interesting to
ponder. I know there are MANY useful
teaching tools that Ipads can offer, but there are also other ways that
i-technologies can be used in the classroom.
For example, the camera, voice notes and calendars. I know as an elementary classroom teacher,
students aren’t encouraged to use their own personal technologies in class and
there are electronics policies that surround their use. However, we are coming to a time now when
perhaps we should be encouraging students to use these technologies for other
things in the classroom, even possibly as simple as a google search. I know there are a lot of issues around
bringing these technologies to schools, like for example they can be stolen or
lost, as well as students who can’t afford them could feel left out or unable
to do some things if they don’t have their own Ipod or Ipad. However, it is something to think about as
these technologies are becoming more and more common place in the hands of our
students. 
Yes early intervention is critical... then compensatory strategies by grade 4 if necessary. Hope you get your power back very soon!
ReplyDeleteYour comment/observation regarding personal electronic devices in the classroom, specifically in elementary classrooms is very interesting. Like you, I work with younger students- grade 6-8. Just a few years ago I noticed a grade 6 had a new Blackberry, I still had a flip phone... I have since upgraded. Getting back to your point- teachers always question what the standing policy is in middle school for personal electronic devices- I have always encouraged my colleagues to embrace smart devices in their classroom so long as students can validate it's use as an educational tool. Clearly some teachers are more willing and comfortable than others and there are a few that have zero tolerance. Like you mentioned, something as simple as a Google search done independently is helpful and alleviates line ups for often limited access to desktop computers (our school is reluctant to switch to portable devices- that is a conversation for another day..). I often ask students how they are using their devices to support learning- responses vary as I am sure you can imagine and believe me there are still lots of wireless activity taking place that is not educational. There are students however that use their devices to record voice and convert to data, others use video/software for different projects, there is one teacher who requests students to take pictures of text/assignments if they can with their devices so there are no homework excuses such as forgetting to take home textbooks, others take pictures of text (math class specifically) and their are several students who are using the Prizmo app to help decode. Accessibility/equality is always the elephant in the room, but there is never an expectation/requirement for students to have/use wireless devices as a curricular requirement. Grade sixes are using devices more and more, I suspect it is only time before it becomes a reality in elementary school.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Greg! Many of my students have iPads or iPods and use them for their long bus rides. It is a shame really that we couldn't be using them for more educational purposes but that is not yet the "norm" or "policy" in elementary schools.
ReplyDelete