This article tied in perfectly with the debate that has been
taking place at my work. We have had an
IT guy come in and fix the problems that we are having on our computers,
however we also got into a long discussion with him about the uses of
technology in the classroom. He feels
like technology can revamp nearly everything that takes place in the toddler
classroom. The teachers who are less
comfortable with the technology disagree, saying that the tried and true
methods are the best. It left me
wondering how technology can best be used in the classroom. After this debate, the program director left
an article that discussed both the potential uses and hazards of
technology. I began to form the opinion
that maybe technology can be integrated into the pre-established teaching
methods in the classroom, but maintaining that face-to-face contact is still
important. Then in my language development class we talked about how people are
beginning to use technology as a replacement rather than an additive to a
lesson. The professor stressed her
concerns with this as language absolutely is learned through social
situations. Hearing the words that
someone is speaking in front of you, and relating this to how their mouth is
moving is necessary when leaning language.
She continued to say that the research shows that if you video record
the same situation and play it back to the child on a screen they will have
difficulty language.
To relate the former tangent back to the article, I think
what I am trying to say is that technology and therefore iPads have a place in
the classroom to further teaching, but not to be the sole teacher. I guess this
article makes me a little weary because I feel like it can be easily
misunderstood. I had the opportunity to
go on home visits this quarter, and the home visitor stressed with the parents
that screen time should not be apart of the child’s life before the age of
3. She supported her opinion, and the
opinion of Early Head Start with articles to show what the research has
found. While I think that iPads can be a
great tool for reinforcement, I think it is important to really look at
research based studies before bringing in the technology to your classroom.
I agree with you entirely. We as teachers need to be very careful with the implementation of technology in our classrooms. It can be way too easy to just let the technology do the teaching for us. I think that is very scary to think about. Children need that social interaction with their peers and teacher. Therefore, I think you are right that technology has a place in the classroom as an aid to our instruction but not a replacement. Also, I thought it was interesting that you mentioned that we need to find research based information to back up our teaching methods, like the use of technology in classrooms. Great point!
ReplyDeleteIt is scary to me to think that teachers are using technology to replace all the aspects of instruction, and ditching our traditional ways to education and teaching. I think in some ways it can, and has to, like learning some internet safety and typing. That 1:1, face to face, social interaction can teach someone an incredibly more amount than a computer screen will, but I think we all know that. I feel like you really made a connection to all the other articles and tied in the fact that plain old reading from a text is still so important and needed.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about your experiences with people deciding how to use technology. I agree that this article may be easily misunderstood and ipads and other devices should not become the teachers in schools. We need to use them as assistive devices, rather than teacher replacements. I also really liked your reference to class when your teacher said that language is absolutely learned through social situations. We really need to keep this in mind as technology advances. Social interactions cannot be replaced by technology and ipads in the classroom.
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