The Networked Student
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The Networked Student is an excellent video for current and future teachers to watch for why they should be computer and technology savvy. The world is coming to the point where teachers are beginning to be seen as baby sitters, yet if the teacher is prepared and understands the world as it is, they can make a tremendous impact. Before this class, I didn't think being "networked" was all that important, but now I understand why it is.
It's up to teachers to teach children to live in this world by the current means, which means using and promoting technology. One day, the teachers' students will go and graduate high school then some will go on to college; however, whatever choice they make, we as teachers, must know we did everything we could to prepare them for future jobs and a life style filled with technology.
In the video, the question, "Why does the networked student even need a teacher?", is asked. I feel everyone needs someone to learn from, whether they have the title teacher or not. In this case, the teacher taught the kids how to use technology to their advantage and pushed them on to graduation.
Welcome to My PLE!
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This video shows students and teachers how to and what to put on your PLE or PLN. I think PLE's are great; however, I still like having to read and write inside and outside the classroom. If we can find a way to pull the two together, I think that would be the most useful teaching style.
For example, if I can teach students algebra in class using the chalkboard, but instead of making them do problems out of the book, allowing them to research algebra and see what they can bring to class by using other teacher's blogs and advice. Teaching is fun! I like having technology, but I don't want to skip over pen and paper.
"Why Smartboards Are A Dumb Initiative" by Michael Staton
View Staton's Post Here
"Why I Hate Interactive Smartboards" by Bill Ferriter
View Ferriter's Post Here
"Advantages of a Smart Board For Teachers and Students" by Thomas Radcliff
View Radcliff's Post Here
"SMART Boards" by Kevin Lane
View Lane's Post Here
The top two blogs give reasons why SMART boards should not be used in the classroom and the last two give the benefits for why every teacher and classroom should have one. In Ferriter's post, he clearly states his hate for SMART boards. After having a group discussion on Twitter, he says, "the majority of participants recognized that without time and training, they quickly become nothing more than really expensive overhead projectors." I agree with him here. But then he goes on to say even with time and training, the interactive white boards still wouldn't be worth what you pay for them.
Radcliff, who likes using SMART boards, says, "Institutes should make sure that they train the teachers in the right way so that the use of the boards is made effectively." I, personally, agree with Radcliff. A teacher cannot expect to receive a SMART board and automatically know how to use it. They have to learn how, maybe by going to a demonstration meeting or watching videos online. There are many different options, but it's up to each individual school to decide how they want their teachers trained.
Each blog gives excellent points for why we should or shouldn't use IWBs. I think they are a great tool for children. I think if all the other schools have them and if that's what they will be using throughout their school career, then it's fair to the kids to learn how to use them as soon as possible. Sure, you could use an overhead, chalkboard, or whiteboard, but what is going to benefit the children the most?
Well, I beg to differ. The accomplishment of the teacher in the Networked Student was not that the teacher taught technology. Rather the key product was that the student was learning the skills necessary to be an effective lifelong learner. Technology was a very important tool in that process. But technology is only a set of tools. Having the skills and the aptitudes to use those tools effectively is what is important.
ReplyDeleteI want my students to read and write effectively also. If you have read as many blog posts of want to be teachers as I have, you would wonder how we got to the poor writing skills, the poor reading skills and the short attention spans that are widespread among your classmates. That is one reason why I insist on so much writing in EDM310. Reading? From the survey I took at the start of the year it is clear that the students in EDM310, for the most part anyway, are NOT readers. But they want to be teachers. What do you think of that?
I think we are now living in a culture where people listen and watch instead of reading. My hope is that we can create creators of listening and watching materials rather than being couch potatoes. You will encounter that objective of mine after spring break.
Let's see what you say about IWBs after you do your SMARTboard lesson. And then five years from now if you regularly use them in your classroom!
I like what you have to say about PLEI. I find that while most people are pushing for a total technology takeover they do not stop to think of what this will take away from children or even older students. Let's face it, if we eliminate pen ad paper completely and move only to typing as a form of writing which checks all of our mistakes for us as we type emails or whatever else, then what would a child do if he or she had to write a letter to a child in a third world country involving education. What will happen if a child that never uses pen and paper goes to a third world place to teach and then realizes that there are no computers for them to use.
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