Blog Entry #1 - Is Innovative Technology Always Meaningful?
Innovative technology includes devices like 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics kits and so much more. As teachers, we are being encouraged to integrate these devices into our classrooms in order to develop critical thinkers that can contribute to an ever-changing society. My question is are these innovative technologies always effective and meaningful for student learning? Imagine, you are in a classroom with seventh graders who are engaged in recreating the Battle of the Plains of Abraham using Minecraft Education Edition. Is this a more meaningful learning process than the traditional method of building a diorama using art supplies?
According to a study conducted by Abbie Brown and Tim Green, 57% of students in grades 6-12 stated that they preferred to use technology when completing creative assignments, so that they could design videos, webpages or slideshows (Orey et al., 2010, p. 38). This data shows that the majority of students prefer to use technology. The other 43% of respondents in this survey appear to prefer a more traditional method, so perhaps an alternative method like hands-on building should also be offered (Orey et al., 2010, p. 38). The results of this study appear to suggest that a blended model of learning should be used that allows students to have choice in either using innovative technologies or completing hands-on learning.
As educators, I think it is important for us to remember that there are various ways that we can use innovative technologies in our classrooms. A question I think we should ask ourselves while planning student learning is does the integration of this technology make it more meaningful and engaging for students? For example, are we simply asking students to complete notes on their devices when historically they could do this using pen and paper? Or are we using innovative technology like virtual reality to have students visit a traditional dwelling of the Metis, so that they can gain firsthand experience that they would not receive otherwise.
In conclusion, I think that some forms of innovative technology create more meaningful learning opportunities for students. However, technology should not simply be a substitute for traditional learning practices that have worked so well in the past.
References
Orey, M., Branch, R. M., & Jones, S. A. (2010). Educational Media and Technology Yearbook. Springer US.
Megan, I appreciate the question you ask. In my opinion, I agree with you that technology should not be a substitute for traditional learning; however, I believe that students should be able to decide what learning strategies are most effective for them and work together with their teachers to create a curriculum of effective learning strategies that can be used for different lessons in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteFor example, a personal experience of mine was in my grade ten English class where I had to listen to my teacher read a story out loud and then complete an assignment about it by the end of the class. I can keep attention when I am reading the book but if I have nothing to focus on with my eyes or do with my hands, I will end up thinking about one-hundred other things and act distractingly in my seat trying to find something for my hands to fidget with than listening to the story being read. I would have appreciated it if my teacher asked the class if one of us wanted to read the story or if we wanted a physical or electronic copy to follow along to. I would have benefitted from a blended classroom at that moment.
I like to think of technology in the classroom as a pencil. A pencil is critical to learning but it cannot teach. Although the internet and technology have the information to teach, students need guidance about what to learn and how, before they are able to further learn about a topic on their own. Technology can enhance what has already been taught and further inspire new learning. Additionally, the use of technology can be moderated in the classroom so students do not go awol, so to say.