Where do you stand at present on using new technologies in the English Classroom?
Technology in the classroom is increasingly becoming an important part of children's education, as well as their day to day lives. From interactive whiteboards, to iPads, to portable laptops, to smart phones, we are gradually becoming more reliant on all aspects. The growing popularity of technology on a daily basis is becoming overwhelmingly advanced and is giving teachers, both technologically experienced, as well as not, the opportunity to enhance and stimulate learning further than the original textbooks.
I feel that the increase in the use of new technologies is a positive step forward because it allows the children to incorporate their every day experiences with various technologies, into their learning. As the use of technology progresses, I feel that it is therefore crucial for children of the modern age to be taught through the use of technology, as it is inevitable that the future will continue to become more technologically advanced and society will continue to progress with this change.
Hague and Payton (2010) state in the Futurelab handbook that "children and young people, then, are actively manipulating digital media to participate in social and cultural life outside of school and making and sharing media has become increasingly important in the way that young people communicate with each other." (Hague and Payton 2010; p7)
This statement further highlights my point in that as society progresses with media, children need to be able to learn with the current technologies so that throughout the education system, they are well educated and equipped for later on in life,
In terms of in the English classroom, I feel that technology and media, such as Interactive Whiteboards and online games can help develop a variety of areas from; Phonics, Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling and many more subjects across the English Curriculum.
In this module, I feel that I may be faced with the challenges of having to teach ICT in a classroom setting during Week 4. I am slightly nervous about having never taught a session before, and having to plan and go straight into the task without much previous experience or preparation.
Bibliography:
Hague, C and Payton, S (2010) Digital Literacy Across the Curriculum. Futurelab
I'd agree that children need to learn with current (and future) technologies, but is it 'crucial' that they are taught through its use? Or should it be used through their learning as a major support tool (both for learning and enjoyment of learning)?
ReplyDeleteIs there a 'fine line' that exists to mark the boundary between beneficial effect and total reliance?
Technology has become a great part of our society, and I agree on the fact that we have to incorporate the new technologies into the classrooms. Like you said, I also believe that there can be a lot of benefits in the use of media, and it can be a good way to provide naturally differentiated opportunities for learners with varied levels of ability.
ReplyDeleteYes, i do agree that perhaps it should not be as 'crucial' as i may have originally empahsised, but, the fact that children are becoming more reliant on technology within their home settings, may indicate that teaching needs to be a little more reliant on it as a result of what children are asking for/respond to with more progress. There is a 'fine line', but eventually i feel that there will no longer be that line.
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