I get a little scared when I read about predictions on the future of education and especially where our students will fit into the global workforce. Dr. Zhao made me feel that I really need to get a handle on technology and its advances and how to effectively make use of it in my classroom. He mentions "not being afraid" to use the new technology- I am most afraid of the time it would take away from the course; will it pay off?
I keep hearing and reading about Second Life. It is now available for MS Vista so I guess I might give it a go. I don't really know how it can fit into my class but I will have to explore it a bit. The global reaching nature seems cool but I worry about online predators interacting with my students. I am also interested to see the "game" that teaches kids how to speak Mandarin Chinese; if kids can find that fun, I'm sure there are science applications for my class in the future.
Dr. Zhao's three important needs were a bit of an awakening for me. I am trying to wrap my mind around recognizing the positive effects of the virtual environment for my students. I envision doing labs with "partners" from around the world and that makes me excited. His second idea about sharing ideas, curriculum, and teachers online is also intriguing; who is better to learn about a glacier from that from a person who lives near one? His last idea about changing how technology and teachers get along really sums it all up for me. I would like to make the jump into "total technology" from my students but worry about how to do this most effectively. Also, what about the kids who don't have internet access at home? I have a few kids this year who wouldn't be able to "login" to what ever project I might assign, what should I do with them?
Finally, the "more food for thought" youtube movie was provocative, I just need to make the leap. The comment about taking away kids' cellphones struck me today. I took a girl's cell phone away because she was texting during class; I feel that I keep a pretty close watch on things when I am lecturing but had another student in class text the girl's phone which was now in my pocket. I felt it buzz, looked at the screen, and saw the other student's name with a new message flashing. Maybe we should stop fighting and begin to use cell phones as a tool. What a can of worms that would be!
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3 comments:
I agree with you when you say is this the right way to go. Do we just jump in feet first and go for the gusto or do we step back and weigh all the options before we embrace the new wave of the internet and education. You are right in wondering if this new technology will take away from the traditional way of teaching and take up too much time in the classroom. The idea of being able to learn from "games" is an interesting one and I would definately like to see it happen.
I was experiencing the same emotions that you expressed about the fear of trying to implement the plethora of options now available to us to use in the classroom verses the fear of NOT using them and having kids bored and unengaged in learning.
In principle, the cell phone as a tool seems great, but what about those who can't afford them (or computers)?
Another huge question would be how classroom management would work if students were allowed cells. The temptation to get off task would be huge, as we are dealing with many immature people still learning to self-discipline.
I think maybe we are being overwhelmed with all these new ideas and how to get them to launch us into the future of learning. I think getting any Department to agree on what will change first would be an issue. But how do you integrate what you have that works, with the new? It definately is a huge expenditure of time and money. I think it would have to be done gradually, making sure you are still covering all your bases.
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