A Little Technology Infusion

I have used discussion forums in my classroom to host literature discussions and it is the best example of something I do that falls in line with David Warlick’s idea of a technological learning environment. I enjoy the fact that all students get to voice their opinion and that they ask their own very interesting questions. I also like that they defend their answers drawing other students’ attention to the text. Sometimes, not very often, they add links or refer each other to other books and sources. Discussions online have been able to put kids at the steering wheel. When I see that kind of interaction between students I get excited about them taking their education into their own hands. It shows that they realize that there is more to learn than what they are asked to learn. I think that any tools we can utilize that help students make these realizations are worth the time and energy for us and them.

Good Points

Alan November makes a few good points about how schools teach technology. I agree with his suggestions to teach about global empathy, social and ethnic responsibility, evaluating the validity of online information, and the level of permanence online.  

I think these skills are important at all levels. Whether kids are using technology or not, they can begin to understand the concept that we must treat each other with respect. Younger students can learn this lesson in the classroom before they ever touch a computer. As they polish their skills, students can begin to use technology based activities to practice their respectful skills. Older students can be taught about some of the negative consequences of using e-mail, texting, or social networks to be mean or disrespectful. The written word is powerful, and can be used against students in a powerful way.

Aside from using technology in an irresponsible way, kids to want to learn how to use it in a responsible way. I think that one thing I will focus on by the end of this school year is evaluating internet sources. Kids do believe that if they find it online, it is probably true, which obviously isn’t the case. I think I might set out to find contradicting research and discuss how something like that can happen. Kids need to see some proof. Also, I would like to remind them of some of the ways they can verify information that they think is true by triangulating, looking for author names, looking for works cited information, finding information on sites that are considered trustworthy and things like that. I already discuss this in my classroom, but I still wind up with students finding and using sites that have inaccurate information.

What do I want?

I would like to become more familiar with the same technologies that my students like to use or would enjoy using. I would also like to explore tools that might be helpful for online instruction. Our school is signed up for Moodle and I have my own online classes, but I don't actually utilize them to their fullest potential. I have created things for classes in the past using audacity, but I still don't feel comfortable using the program on my own.