Student+Intro+Post

Some Collective Initial Thoughts on Technology Integration: Fall 2010
(taken from the first class discussion that touches on the topic briefly)

About
The first discussion of the course included a question about the Edutopia video Full Circle. The question read, " Do you think the uses of technology actually enhance instruction (so far as you can tell from the short video)? Is technology being used just because it's neat and cool, or is it supporting student learning? "

Ms. Huett attempted to capture the sentiments of the class. Most of what is below is direct quotes from the discussion. Not all comments are included because there was some overlap.

Statements that Were Positive Towards Technology Integration
Technology...
 * should be used in education.
 * allows more opportunities.
 * is integrating the classroom like the real world. --“The teachers are making the real world a classroom. It is teaching the cheerleaders about health and occupations in the health care field. The algebra II students are using information from their classmates to graph. It provides a connection for them.”
 * fosters hands-on learning.
 * makes information stick.
 * exposes students to things they want to do as a careers.
 * piques interest (motivates).
 * supports students' personal interests.
 * makes learning fun and engaging.
 * can bring the outside world into the classrooms.
 * allows students to interact and to visualize (such as with the SmartBoard).
 * allows the students to enjoy learning and stay involved (when used creatively).
 * supports student learning.
 * raises the bar.
 * allows students to expand their knowledge and use their imagination to learn.
 * provides children with highly interesting learning and gets them involved with a variety of techniques to express creativity.
 * helps students deal with difficult concepts by introducing real world situations.
 * enhances what the students are learning and bring it to life before their very eyes. ("Students learn things that they see from the television daily so why not use technology in the classroom and get the most out of your students right?")
 * is a wonderful tool for teachers to capture the interest of students as well as to get them involved in discovery-based learning.
 * can also give students the opportunity to engage themselves in academic activities that they normally would not feel comfortable doing. For example, a student who is afraid of public speaking can create a podcast to deliver to the class and not have to be in front of his peers.
 * helps all types of learners especially the visual learners. (There are all different types of learner within a class setting.)
 * engages students more in a lecture when they get to come up and use the smart board to help them learn.

Statements that Were More Negative (or maybe just Neutral) Towards Technology Integration

 * Teachers don't get the support they need
 * Technology is just used to impress students to hold their attention.
 * Since I was educated in the traditional classroom, my instinct is to not use technologies frequently.
 * Technology can be expensive (such as in the video)...how do you obtain it?
 * The downfall of technology in the classroom that I received from the video was the students being more involved with using the technology than actually learning the material presented in the classroom. The technology is neat and cool, but it needs to be directed where it is fostering the students learning effectively and not another distraction.
 * I think if we as teachers used all of these fun and enticing technological tools everyday, it would take the fun and excitement out of using them and it would just become another everyday thing for them. (The novelty will wear off.)
 * I like how you wrote that technology is important to use but not all the time. I think that sometimes younger students take technology to the extreme in their daily lives, and would benefit from learning some things the good old-fashioned way without the glitz that some of the new technology provides.
 * My one concern is that really cool technology might eclipse the actual information/topic being pursued.
 * Technology should play a role in education. However, at this time I can not tell you how big of a role it should play.

More Specific Commentary on Video

 * For example, the video talked about having virtual field trips around the world, which is neat because many people will not get to travel outside of their own state. Right now with the money the way it is in schools, it is hard for students to be able to go on field trips, so this could serve as a way for them to get out of the classroom through the use of technology.
 * The use of //eClickers// to cover material in a game show type environment really stuck out to me. I have always been a competitive person, and would love to have the opportunity to have this as a learning tool.
 * The video compliments the fact that using technology helps with most learning styles because all the students were involved with the learning exercise.

Some "Shoulds" that Came out of the Discussion
Teachers...
 * should use technology to make learning fun.
 * should teach students how to think not what to think.
 * should teach in ways beside lecture format.
 * should involve students with technology.
 * should keep up with tech tools to be lifelong learners.
 * should be using technology with students so that they won't be lost in business world of tomorrow. ("Older people are losing their jobs because they just cant figure technology out. So it is important to teach our students all there is to know about technology so that we can get them ready to survive in the real world.")
 * should use technology to gain students' attention.
 * should unplug from technology as appropriate.
 * should make learning more enjoyable because if a student enjoys the assignment more than likely the result will be getting good grades. (is making better grades the that important?)
 * should use technology as a tool in the classroom, but not as the main teaching technique. (is tech a technique?)
 * should teach students not only how to function with technology, but also how to function without it. Basic skills on pen and paper don't need to be tossed out the window.
 * should __not__ base a whole lesson on just using technology.
 * should teach student how to find reliable information.
 * should __not__ use technology as a crutch.

Students...
 * should learn.
 * should not find the information and then forget the information. Anyone can go onto the internet and find information on a topic.

Schools....
 * should prepare students to live successfully in a world that revolves around technology.
 * should include digital cameras, iPods, CD and DVD players, SmartBoards in classrooms.