This competency seems to be one of the most challenging. One of my biggest challenges is finding the time to both teach students how to use the technology and then expecting them to use what they've learned to then use the technology in another activity. Most of my students are not extremely computer literate so I fear that finding the time to accomplish both of these tasks would be difficult. On top of that, our classroom access to technology is limited so another challenge arises. However, I feel as though this competency is important to still incorporate because it is a realistic expectation of both students and working adults. I am going to make it a goal in my own teaching to find opportunities to use technology for learning. Regardless of the difficulties and challenges this competency is too important to leave behind.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Use of Technology for Learning
This competency is somewhat what I expected to learn about in a "21st Century" class. 21st Century has become synonymous with use of technology. I understand now that the 21st century competencies consist of way more than just technology but with this competency we come back to the issue of technology in learning. One of the most important "a-ha" moments I had this week was in the differentiation of learning to use technology and technology FOR learning. The competency is titled using the 'for' terminology but through discussion and activities I have realized that most people think of technology in terms of just learning to use it and not using the technology to produce work or to aid in the actual learning. The first level of the elevator only require students to personally use some form of technology to complete a portion of the lesson. This seems easy enough when not thinking about recreating the wheel to be incredibly creative. Creative uses of technology might be more difficult. At the highest level students are required to produce a product of technology that was also required to construct knowledge.
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You know I think that the greatest challenge with this competency is the lack of technology available. It is almost imposable to use technology for learning when you have one smart board and one computer in each classroom that is used primarily to deliver content and a laptop cart that is available to teachers every seven days! There needs to be technology available at any time for any length of time if we are to really use technology for learning effectively in classrooms. What I’ve explored from the webinars on 21st century activities and lessons involving technology look amazing and so motivation but I have to always go back to the lack of technology.
ReplyDeleteLaura Santiago
I know lack of technology is a huge barrier for many of our students and schools. However, I think it's something that shouldn't prevent us from incorporating into our classes. I have had two international visiting teachers in my classroom, and our technology, even if it's just one interactive whiteboard and 1 desktop in our classroom, is so much more than what they have access to in their home countries. For example, the Ecuadorian teacher who has class sizes of 80 -90 students went out of her way to incorporate technology into her classroom. After meeting her, I don't complain; I've learned to use what technology we have available and make it work for me and my students. For example, when I only had the interactive whiteboard, I created centers so that groups of students rotated and were able to use, create, and/or present assignments my the laptop and the whiteboard.
ReplyDeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about technology and this class. However as we dove more into the content I quickly realized that technology is not the only thing that is apart of 21st Century Skills. I also agree that the actual implementation of the use of technology is a struggle. I have used technology one in a while, and I find that handing out the technology or finding the resources to use takes up time. Then there is the struggle of having students learn new technology or programs on top of an activity they need to complete. I think the best way to get students familiar with technology and using it is to start the year off right away and use it throughout the year.