If students and adults are constantly using various forms of social media or technology in general, why isn't technology being utilized in classrooms?
In 2010, I attended a Vision 20/20 Conference held by the Niagara Catholic District School Board. At the conference, students and teachers discussed how Catholic education would look in the year 2020. Many students believed there would be iPads for the majority of students in the classroom and that various forms of social media would be integrated for projects or classroom use. It is important to recognize that not only is various forms of ICT (Information Communication Technology) needed in classrooms, teachers (and future teachers) must be educated on how to
properly use ICT to optimize learning outcomes. It is almost 2015, and although I do not see this happening extensively yet, I am optimistic.
Take a look at Fieldcrest Elementary School in Bradford, Ontario:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__02oH-tGoo
Many schools in Canada still function under "Old Story" education practices, which involves standardization, deeming the student as a passive, isolated learner and believing that knowledge is linear. We have all seen this before, students merely sitting in rows and copying down the teacher's notes from a projector.
From a constructivist perspective, I believe students (and teachers too) should be learning through experience. I am constantly wondering: How can teachers engage students in learning through experience or the use of technology?
In my personal experience as a head camp counselor through the YMCA summer day camp, I wanted the campers to be constantly engaged and stimulated, whether it was through play or down time after lunch. I allowed my campers to create their own carnival day. I encouraged them to form their own groups and became fully open to their ideas. In their own groups, campers made colourful, imaginative posters, created unique carnival games, and used their various skills to create an engaging carnival station. For example, one group had a creative poster taped to gym mats (set up like a table), where they performed card tricks that got all of the campers and myself involved. I was amazed! I was amazed by their creativity as well as their ability to work together and lead others.
Take a look at Fieldcrest Elementary School in Bradford, Ontario:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__02oH-tGoo
Many schools in Canada still function under "Old Story" education practices, which involves standardization, deeming the student as a passive, isolated learner and believing that knowledge is linear. We have all seen this before, students merely sitting in rows and copying down the teacher's notes from a projector.
From a constructivist perspective, I believe students (and teachers too) should be learning through experience. I am constantly wondering: How can teachers engage students in learning through experience or the use of technology?
In my personal experience as a head camp counselor through the YMCA summer day camp, I wanted the campers to be constantly engaged and stimulated, whether it was through play or down time after lunch. I allowed my campers to create their own carnival day. I encouraged them to form their own groups and became fully open to their ideas. In their own groups, campers made colourful, imaginative posters, created unique carnival games, and used their various skills to create an engaging carnival station. For example, one group had a creative poster taped to gym mats (set up like a table), where they performed card tricks that got all of the campers and myself involved. I was amazed! I was amazed by their creativity as well as their ability to work together and lead others.
In another instance after lunch one day during down time, I showed campers pictures on my iPad from a mission trip I attended in Ecuador. I allowed campers to help me use the device to share the images with everyone. They instantly became excited when they were able to see the visuals and we had a unique discussion afterwards about the trip that was appropriate to their age level. I was amazed! I was amazed by their ability to listen attentively and capacity to ask thought provoking questions.
Teachers can function under "New Story" education practices by trying to integrate a more project based learning environment that connects students to real life, having technologically embedded classrooms, and creating a democratic classroom.
I do not mean to say that the "New Story" trumps the "Old Story" education model completely. I believe it is vital for students to learn reading, writing and arithmetic without technology as well (let's exercise our brains in different ways). I also do not mean to say that transitioning from the "Old Story" to "New Story" is easy by any means. I am wondering if the lack of technology and hands-on experiences in the classrooms are due to: A) Lack of funding, B) Lack of professional development opportunities regarding technology, C) Lack of time because teachers have other educational goals/commitments to attend to. It may be a combination of these reasons as well.
Can ICT improve learning? I believe it can, and it will. There are so many opportunities for teachers to integrate technology in the classroom: Edmodo, Weebly, Twitter, Webinars, YouTube, Ustream, etc. If students feel comfortable with technology, let's harness these skills!
THE FUTURE STARTS NOW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfN5SSiRoPs
John Dewey once said, "If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow."
Hi Chelsea: An attractive and thoughtful blog that fulfilled the requirements on the rubric. Lots of good links and personal experiences. (You can embed the YouTubes as well.) I agree that the new story is coming whether we want it or not. Our students K to 12 are digital learners and so we must change our teaching to help them learn. I like your personal action research project. You seem like a creative teacher. And great quote from John Dewey.
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