Tech in Today's Classrooms
Technology in today's classroom is vastly different from when I was in school. When I was in elementary I could count on one hand how many computers we had for student use, now every student in our school district has their own personal Chromebook. With the technology trends I have seen a ton of positives, but also some negatives.
Working in a multi cultural high school the Chromebooks have allowed students from many backgrounds to "play" on the same court as their peers. One example would be my involvement in planting a computer lab in a section 8 housing project. I was working at a YMCA and we were able to secure a educational grant giving us the chance to give students k-12 the chance to work from a lab close to home (not having the parents strain to arrange transportation from schools) and work with modern equipment. Giving students the same tools (where as in the past only the affluent students could afford such things) strengthens their ability to excel and achieve their educational goals. Giving students the ability to use/practice with current technology is the real challenge. Tech changes so fast that most schools can not afford to update or purchase new units, thus making it difficult for students to keep up with the changing climate. By integrating technology into our schools we are setting our students up for career opportunities down the road by getting them familiar with current trends being used in the corporate world. Now there is one big downfall with technology and that is with the use of cell phones. When I look into classrooms I see more and more kids not paying attention to the teacher. Some may say this is classroom management, but when the school does not take a hard stance and how to police cell phones staff are just left to deal with the distractions. Most kids that are kicked out of class are the ones who refuse to get off their phones or are repeat offenders of being on non approved websites.
With all the technology being thrown at students today, schools/staff need to be more proactive in making sure students are using it for the right reasons. We need to show them the programs that will allow them to excel in education and allow them to be creative through life.
Working in a multi cultural high school the Chromebooks have allowed students from many backgrounds to "play" on the same court as their peers. One example would be my involvement in planting a computer lab in a section 8 housing project. I was working at a YMCA and we were able to secure a educational grant giving us the chance to give students k-12 the chance to work from a lab close to home (not having the parents strain to arrange transportation from schools) and work with modern equipment. Giving students the same tools (where as in the past only the affluent students could afford such things) strengthens their ability to excel and achieve their educational goals. Giving students the ability to use/practice with current technology is the real challenge. Tech changes so fast that most schools can not afford to update or purchase new units, thus making it difficult for students to keep up with the changing climate. By integrating technology into our schools we are setting our students up for career opportunities down the road by getting them familiar with current trends being used in the corporate world. Now there is one big downfall with technology and that is with the use of cell phones. When I look into classrooms I see more and more kids not paying attention to the teacher. Some may say this is classroom management, but when the school does not take a hard stance and how to police cell phones staff are just left to deal with the distractions. Most kids that are kicked out of class are the ones who refuse to get off their phones or are repeat offenders of being on non approved websites.
With all the technology being thrown at students today, schools/staff need to be more proactive in making sure students are using it for the right reasons. We need to show them the programs that will allow them to excel in education and allow them to be creative through life.
What a wonderful blog post. I appreciate how you connected the post to your time in school and to the work you are currently doing. I very much enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your opinion, I think that technology gives a lot but as teachers, we need to have control of it. technology can be so helpful but it can be dangerous too, especially for kids and teenagers who refuse to follow orders and so that affects their school achievement.
ReplyDeleteI see this everyday! Tons of info at our fingertips but how do we use it?? I guess that is our jobs to help the students decipher what is right and what is wrong
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