Understanding educational technology issues and trends was a very interesting chapter. It showed the impact of technology on the way Teachers teach and students learn. I think technology is going to have more of an impact on academics each year because there is so many neat teaching tools out there that can be used to help students learn. Three things that really sparked my interest was teacher centered teaching,student centered teaching, and digital divides.
Teacher centered and student centered teaching I think are two concepts that have to be discussed together. Both are types of teaching philosophies. As a teacher you will kind of have to decide which teaching style you will convey in your classroom. Teacher- centered teaching is what many adults born before 1980 had growing up. The teacher is the main focal point of learning information they are the knowledgeable ones and they give information to the student who is a novice. They use quantitative measures like test scores to determine who is receiving and comprehending the information correctly. I don’t necessarily disagree with this method of teaching, but I think it can be boring and outdated. I say outdated in the sense of; there is so many technology tools out there that we can expand on this teaching style.
Another teaching philosophy is the Student centered teaching. With this style of teaching teachers believe that making different experiences for students that they can explore and discover things on their own is the best way to teach them. Student centered teaching takes the focal point off the teacher, and gives the students a chance to ask questions, and engage in conversations with the teacher and each other. I like this style of teaching because it does give the students’ time to interact with each other and gain social skills that will be helpful in the real world. With this style of teaching you’re able to incorporate technology to be a resource in aiding in exploring and discovery of information.
Digital divides was a concept that I think effects many schools and is one problem that teachers have when trying to incorporate technology in the classroom. Digital divides is basically students not having the access to the latest technologies at home or in the school setting. According to our textbook low- income, nonwhite, urban, and rural youngsters are the ones affected by digital divides. Digital divides causes a chain reaction causing participation gaps which causes achievement gaps. I know living in Naples even for a short while I didn’t have a computer at home but I’ve always had access to computers at school, and public libraries. I know a lot of other schools in poor areas don’t have that luxury. Which is a sad thing because being educated in technology is a great skill to have and something you need in today’s society. I see so many job posting requiring for people to have knowledge in different computer software.
Teacher- centered teaching, student- centered teaching and digital divides are three concepts that stood out to me in this chapter. I think with teaching you have to find a balance between the two teaching styles. I think bringing technology in the classroom can only be a plus to the learning experience. I think test and lectures are good every now and then. But I know when I was in computer class I paid more attention to Mavis beacon teaches typing then my actual teacher going over the keys on the keyboard. I think digital divides also reminds us that not everyone can afford a computer or the latest gadget that comes out. Not all schools are equal or have the same level of income. But I also think teachers do a great job of making sure students can access online assignments at home or making sure there is enough time to get things done in class.
Resources:
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Wow - nice mind map - what program did you use to create that? One thing you will want to start doing is giving your 'creations' credit in the Resource section! :)
ReplyDeleteThe digital divide is a concept that will likely be with us in some form or another - at least as long as there are differences in economic levels. Thankfully, I think schools do try to help bridge that in the classrooms (labs/media centers, too). With the focus on smart phones and their capabilities, we continue to find more and more of the students who wouldn't have a computer DO have a smartphone and there's much that can be done with those small computing devices, as well.