Reading Reaction #1
Fisch and McLeod’s video " Did You Know" is a statement about how we have moved to a technological society. But are our teachers supporting this new society and using these new resources to enhance how kids learn? I think in many cases the answer is no. Many of our teachers are sticking with the ways they have always taught because it is easier for them.
As the new Media Specialist in a K-6 elementary school, I have observed some interesting things in the last three weeks since we started back to school. First, let me say, I think our district is a big proponent of technology in the schools. We have had a school board and superintendent who encouraged the use of technology, budgeted for it in our schools, created positions at a district level to provide technology curriculum support and trained at least one teacher per grade level to provide additional technology support. We have projectors and smart boards in every room, as well as a Mac laptop carts – one per every three teachers. There are workshops through out the school year and the district office covers the cost of a substitute for the teachers who attend.
So the opportunity and tools are available for the teachers but still this past week I had ten teachers come to the Media Center to check out the old desktop overhead projectors. The scary thing is, we had twenty-five overhead projectors available for check out. In many cases, the teachers want to use what they know. They don’t want to worry about the learning curve for a new piece of equipment when they are being required to change how they plan lessons, ensure a certain percentage of growth out of all their students and handle even more discipline issues as the administrative dean positions are cut due to tight budgets.
Some teachers choose only to use technology as an incentive or reward for good behavior. The students may read an ebook on an iPad, or an iPod if they show excellent behavior and attitude. Unfortunately, the convenience of using what they know is a disservice to the students.
The teachers who do put in the extra time have shown improved student progress with the use of technology in their classrooms. I can provide personal testimony to support this claim in the classroom of my son’s first grade teacher. His class used several different technologies to support their classroom learning. From the beginning of the year, they used online reading activities to enhance the reading work they did in the classroom. Student who were struggling readers were able to use the iPod to read a story with audio back up. This audio back up was recorded and downloaded to the device by the advanced readers in the class.
Finally, the first graders in my son’s class were required to research an ocean animal and create an iMovie about the animal. They researched the animal, created a script, which they recorded to the computer. Then they downloaded images of the animal and music to use for a soundtrack. Using iMovie, they took the video of themselves and added pictures and background music, as well as a starting sequence with a menu. It was a time commitment from the teacher, because the whole project took about three weeks to complete – working on it about 30 minutes a day. The pay off was worth it. Two first graders in the class won awards at the district’s Digital Media Awards and every child in the class got a high score on the SAT 10 test given in first grade.
With the way technology is changing and growing everyday, do our teachers think the status quo is enough to help our meet the challenges they will face in the 21st century world? Our kids will learn to use the technology whether our teachers use it in the classroom or not, but would we rather they use it to become great critical thinkers or to get the highest score on HALO 3 to beat all their friends?
I agree with your comments about how so many teachers revert back to what they know. I think it has more to do with a comfort level in the classroom. Anytime teachers make any type of drastic changes in the classroom the effect weather positive or negative can be stressful.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that your district is very pro technology which is defiantly a positive step. Is the district that you work in pushing more SMART boards, or are they looking at a broad range of technology? You stated that your sons class uses IPOD for reading, are schools looking at e-readers, net books, and other tools to incorporate into the learning process. I see many administrators pushing SMART boards as the next great technology, the only problem being these boards are nearly 8 years old, and in terms of technology that is nearly ancient.
In my opinion the teachers that constantly run back to the same old material need to go through intensive technology training. I use RF active response systems in my classroom and the kids go wild when they use them. When we do an activity I have to push them out the door because they want to stay and play the game again next period (and that is in math class.) The teachers that do use technology have a better time relating to the students. The teachers that are failing to conform to education changes are hurting their students learning process. It’s ironic you mentioned the overhead projectors as we had the same problem at another school, the administrator put an end to overheads by refusing to by light bulbs for them when the lights blew out. It was a great concept and eventually even the most diehard teachers needed to transform to a projector
I was really impressed with your post. I have yet to work in the Florida School system and was not raised in the area, so my exposure to the policies of Florida schools is limited. I am very glad to hear how enthusiastic and accommodating your school district seems to be. I completely agree with your post and with the general consensus of this week's assignment. Technology definitely helps develop interest through the direct involvement of engaging assignments for the students.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit disappointed to hear about all of the teachers in your school that seem to be reluctant to implement technology in their classrooms. I agree with you that it seems they just want to be comfortable with their material, which I understand, but I feel they are doing a disservice to themselves and their students. As someone who considers himself fairly comfortable with technology, I feel that after learning how to use specific technology, the benefits always outweigh the time it takes to learn it. The convenience that results with nearly every aspect of technology is profound.
I encouraged however with how you chose to close your post about your son's teachers. I have had to create educational videos for a class (as recently as in my post-bachelor program I am currently in) and I found it to be a very rewarding assignment that taught me a lot. I am very impressed with your son's teacher who chose to implement that into the classroom at such an early age. I think you did a great job on your post.
Page,
ReplyDeleteI think you make some good points, but like me you aren't in the classroom anymore. I am hesitant to judge the teacher's reluctance to use technology especially those who did not grow up with it. We're in the middle of a huge paradigm shift and until all the teacher who aren't digital natives are replaced we will continue to see refusal to conform no matter how much support is provided.
The reason for this is time. Teaching has changed from an Art to a Science. Proper lesson planning consumes so much more time than it used to. Teachers have to analyze data and create individualized instruction not just for the student's with IEP's but for everyone or at least small groups. With the new ESE inclusion model teachers are having to plan for students that they never had to. The world of teaching has changed and there is more than just technology to learn right now.
With this eventually comes the part where teachers have the right to say "I need to go home." Teachers could be at work all night planning and preparing lessons, keeping up on their e-mail and parent correspondance. But there comes a time where you have to say "I have put in enough time today" I have a life beyond these walls and I have a right to it. Let me follow that up by saying that I a not defending the teachers who walk out the door every day 15 minutes early with recycled lesson plans for the past 30 years. Those teachers need fired. But there does come a time where you've done as much or above what a human should be expected to do during the day for the meager salary one recieves.
Aaron Huestis
Page,
ReplyDeleteThe project that your son's teacher did with them sound incredible. What district is this in, if you don't mind me asking? I would love to do something like this with my students, but we only have 3 working student computers in the classroom and no iPads or iPods. I just don't know how we would complete it, and I think that is the problem I hear from many teachers: there just isn't the time. Time expectations need to be readjusted to include technology integration, and appropriate resources must be provided and maintained.
Today, we as teachers have to be thorough, purposive, and creative in the way we deliver the required curriculum, which as Aaron mentioned, is very capable of consuming your entire day (and life). While we must be open to the new technology and definitely make a conscious effort to include and focus on its integration, we must also be patient. We are not only waiting for teachers to fully accept the change, but we must also await the appropriate resources to provide all students with the exciting learning opportunity your son was fortunate enough to participate.
Thanks for sharing :)
Alyssa Pinti
I don't think most teachers just revert to what they know because it's easier or more convenient, but because with everything else they have to do, they can't afford the time it might take if they have trouble with new equipment. I think the counties/schools need to have training for teachers on the use of this new equipment so that the teachers get comfortable with it and won't worry about losing time. Most teachers have very limited time to get through all the material they're supposed to cover in year and even though trying something new is fun, it is often time consuming. Also, many counties are not as supportive of introducing technology. They may buy certain new technologies, but they don't give teachers any idea how to make it useful. Someone who is a digital immigrant hasn't grown up with technology and so may not be aware of some of the uses that would make technology useful and help them connect to their students. Many teachers may want to try new technologies, but feel they have to be practical or their counties require them to follow a very specific curriculum that only utilizes technology for presentations and sometimes quizzes.
ReplyDelete“The payoff was worth it.” That’s what teachers need to experience to get them to change their methods. If teachers can realize the long term benefit of a short-term learning curve, our students will be best prepared for the future. Your statement that “kids will learn to use technology whether our teachers use it in the classroom or not” is true indeed, and I would add that we need to direct that learning as early as pre-kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love your blog name Page Terner (I get it…page turner, a media specialist…clever).