How is it possible for teachers to embrace the potential of Web 2.0 Technology without short changing our children by shifting the focus from meaning and learning to the glorification of a tool?
No one can deny the impact that Web 2.0 Technology has had on our practice but I think we must be careful that the result of its use is not a passive classroom where there is less interaction among students and teachers , the focus on literacy is diminished and the emphasis is on the tool itself.
These tools have the potential to impact classrooms much like how television has impacted the way we arrange our living room furniture or where we eat our dinner. We need to ensure that we separate their entertainment value from the need to have students actively engaged in their learning. These tools should be used as a 'crutch'. They support good teaching and should be used to show what students have learnt or what they are learning. Let us not forget that the focus should be on best practice as when best practice is not the focus, but technology is, student learning is compromised.
I certainly agree with you. I think that in our situation we have to get to the stage in our schools where the use of technology becomes part of the school culture. In such a scenario use of a laptop would be considered to be as normal as breathing. As with everything new there is always some infatuation at first, the novelty has to wear off!
ReplyDeleteAs Reading Specialists, we can lead by example and demonstrate to our colleagues through our practice the right way in which to use the Web 2.0 tools. We must show them that they are resources via which learning can be enhanced. They must also be advised to plan carefully how the tools would be used in the lesson. The content to be delivered, the objectives and the teaching time ought to be taken into consideration.
By being role models for our colleagues, I believe that we can make an impact of some sort. It is a work in progress!
This is a very important discussion as we proceed forward into the Masters in Reading Program. Only an hour ago, I read an article by Norman Higgins which addressed the issue of teacher involvement in vocabulary instruction when using the eBooks as an instructional tool in language comprehension. Teachers must be involved to guide, scaffold, and to support students' learning development not only in vocabulary and comprehension but in all areas of instruction which utilize electronic tools. The term 'tool' is an appropriate metaphor for these devices which enter the classroom for instructional purposes. In the classroom, the teacher is the 'handyman/woman' who uses these tools to enhance instruction and learning. He/she is therefore responsible for how and when they are used in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteHere in the Caribbean very few studies have been done to ascertain the impact of these tools on the learning achievement of our students. We can assume however, based on educational studies done by the experts, that there is some value to the use of technological tools in the classroom. We as teachers see for ourselves that our students become somewhat instantaneously motivated to pay attention, focus and interact when certain electronic tools or programs are applied in the classroom context. This is exciting for us too as we can begin to imagine the classroom engagement which this type response to electronic tools will have in our Caribbean classrooms.....bringing the 'under the mango tree discussions' into the classroom is what comes to mind.
I must admit that I fully endorse everything that is said- the good ,bad and ugly. However,what concerns me is teachers and technology. It is a fact that most teachers today were not surrounded by technology while growing up; and the speed at which technology has growm can be a daunting task for many teachers to catch up to.Many students are far more advanced with using technoloy than teacherss.With this in mind we as teachers of the 21st century need to "catch up" with the times and familiar with these tool and how to use them. This is one way they can be benefical and truly integraated into our classroom.
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