Pedagogy before Technology
Pedagogy before Technology
Students’ view technology as a necessity and is the only way to socialize with others and is the only way to entertain themselves. I see technology as a luxury, privilege, a tool and definitely not a necessity.
For example, last year, I depended so much on teaching with technology that my students did not get the opportunity to socialize or to collaborate ideas with each other as much. So when it was time for group work, my students were socially awkward and preferred to work alone, or they were in a group and did not speak to one another. As a teacher, I felt horrible and I felt that I failed them. So this year, I made this clear to my students everyday by collecting their cellphones and not allowing airpods. In addition, for the first 2 weeks of school, I did not allow them to login to the computers in my lab. Instead, I had group activities for them to socialize in person, meet their fellow classmates and get to know each other. Everyday, I would shuffle students around in different groups, so they can meet everyone, but most importantly to learn how to collaborate with others. Otherwise, if I allowed electronics or any technology, they would never speak to one another and would rather work alone all year. As Churches states, you don't have to collaborate to learn, but often your learning is enhanced by doing so. Collaboration is a 21st Century skill of increasing importance and one that is used throughout the learning process. Furthermore, collaborating is a mechanism which can be used to facilitate higher order thinking and learning (Churches, 2008).
Teachers look to librarians for new innovative ideas for learning in the classroom. Librarians have a direct influence on teachers and have the responsibility to help improve learning environments by reminding teachers that it is ok to have unplugged activities. These types of activities will help improve our students’ social emotional learning to help them learn how to collaborate with others. The use of technology can be a tool to expand the students’ learning experiences and not have technology replace or be the driving force of the students’ overall learning experience.
Our different perception of technology should be strongly considered when reframing its use in the classroom. The fact that students see it as a necessity can be considered as an addiction or as a crutch. Therefore, I strongly recommend we as educators must be reminded that technology should be a tool or a resource to help us further educate our students and can be a tool of innovation, but not a necessity.
Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy. Common Sense Media: Education . September 1, 2023. https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/blooms-digital-taxonomy
Churches, A. (2008). Digital Bloom’s Taxonomy Guide. CCCOnline. September 1, 2023. http://www.ccconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Churches_2008_DigitalBloomsTaxonomyGuide.pdf
Hi Barbara!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that you referred to previous experiences with technology in your classroom and not just the cell phones that students carry in their pockets to demonstrate the impact of technology in the educational setting. My lightbulbs went off as I read about how technology separated them, rather than brought them together for something as small as a collaborative assignment. I wholeheartedly agree that this is one of the cons to technology. Students tend to isolate themselves when working with technology. The intention is usually to walk students through each stage of gradual release, but when they are "left to their own devices", they become quiet and withdrawn. Often they focus on finishing the task, rather than finding the reason for completing the task and what they should be learning. Technology is for sure not the foundation of learning.
Thanks for sharing your viewpoint!
-Jessica Thompson
Hi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your thoughts on technology and the real life examples you shared. I am so glad that this year you started your classes off by doing team building and collaborative activities so students can get to know each other and not just sit silently on their phones with their AirPods in. I teach Pre-K, so it is hard to imagine teaching older students who are glued to their devices all day long. I am sure you will see good results from them building relationships early on with their classmates. I agree that technology is a tool for education and not the foundation. Thank you for sharing!
Hello Barbara! First of all, God Bless You for taking up cell phones and iPods. You are so right about the importance of personal contact, communication, and collaboration! Your students may not appreciate your efforts at the beginning, but I suspect that years from now they will understand and be thankful that you cared about their interpersonal skills and relationships. Thank you for your wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteThis was fascinating. Evidence shows that regular meetings, where people are just sitting and listening, work ok when it's online, but brainstorming works better in person. Your intuition is correct! What is the age of your students? I know you shared that already, but just wondering.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara! That is such an interesting observation about your students working in groups! Technology is great for collaborating as a group from a distance, but I think it’s easy to forget that in-person collaboration involves different skills that are equally important!
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