Technology innovation in the classroom is a growing arena, and one that will continue to do. I am amazed at the opportunities that teachers and students have the potential to use and where it can take learning. The use of digital whiteboards, for example, from Promethean are changing the way that information is being presented to students. As the technology grows and improves it has become a much more interactive and collaborative piece of equipment (rather than just a way for teachers to present information to their students). For example, Cole (2011) describes Promethean’s improved digital whiteboards, which have a multi touch system and also allow multiple students to use different pens on a whiteboard at a time. This allows for an enormous amount of collaboration on the parts of the students – where students can play educational games, solve math problems, discuss strategy use etc., together. In comparison to a computer, where only one student is able to manipulate a program at a time, this allows both students to be engaged and active.
The use of “activotes,” a student controlled remote device that allows entire groups of students to answer true or false or multiple choice problems further makes the digital whiteboard an interactive tool (Promethean Planet, 2006-2011). It can also help with assessment for individuals as well as the class as a whole. One issue that I did find with this was the expense of such tools. While I am still not entirely convinced by this alterative method, I am intrigued by Brown (2011) article which discusses the positive uses of cellphones in the classroom. In his article, Brown discusses the use of Poll Everywhere, where students text in their answers, both multiple choice and short answer questions. The online cite acts as a running blog and also gives teachers instant results while keeping students engaged. They also note that most students, despite assumptions that minority students do not have access to them, do have cell phones that they can use. I was surprised by this information and feel like more research is needed to make sure that no discrepancies in the classroom would occur. However, the fact that cell phones are being used in the classroom for educational purposes is intriguing. It also requires quite a bit of monitoring as well though, to make sure that this privilege is not being abused.
As a student teacher, I am quickly discovering the effects that technology can have on education. Today I taught my first technology lesson, showing the power that Voicethread (2011) can have for digital storytelling. It is one of the most engaged I have seen the students, who are a very, very, active bunch. It showed me that they need that engagement, they need new ways to be creative. The You Tube video, A Vision of K-12 Students Today really hit this message home. It was a video encouraging the use of technology as a means of teaching and engaging students and honing in on their creativity and the innovations available to teachers and students today. After witnessing what I saw in the classroom I am convinced that this is a necessary part of the classroom. So long as careful monitoring, well crafted lessons that integrate content areas and focus on creative and critical thinking skills, technology innovation, in many forms, can be used in the classroom.
References:
Brown, M. D. (2011, April 3). Handhelds in the classroom. Retrieved from
Bjnesbitt (Producer). (2007, November 28). A vision of K-12 Students Today. Retrieved
Cole, G. (2011, January 10). Technology in schools: This is a leap forward. Retrieved from
Promethean Planet. (2006-2011). Promethean Planet: The world’s largest interactive
whiteboard community. Retrieved from http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/
Voicethread. (2011). Voicethread. Retrieved from www.voicethread.com
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