Technology in Classroom

2/25/2019

It has been said over again that we cannot teach today's children the way we used to. Sitting in rows, taking out a 500 page textbook, reading a chapter then answering the odd number questions is out. It's almost like today's children need to point and click.
My daily practice includes 3 online programs. The first is a language arts program (iRead) where students K-2 create their own avatar and read their way from classroom to classroom earning badges along the way to upgrade their avatar until they complete the level. The next is math program that is set up like a video game (ST Math) where students K-5 are a penguin named Gigi that problem solves through exploration because there is no verbal or written language all while trying not loose 1 of the 3 lives given per level. The final website is actually an expansion of our Language Arts Curriculum (Benchmark) where my class can explore whole group or individual; read alouds, informational videos, sight word songs and or grammar/spelling games. Every opportunity I have to not teach "the old school" way I use.
I believe it's key for a district/school to invest in it's teachers. Through trainings, workshops, key note speakers and a descent salary the message is we care and we want the best for our teachers and our students. Another important part is access to technology. To move forward we must have the proper tools.

4 Comments

Lisa Marie Smith

2/26/2019 05:42:20 am

Alexis,

I love that your students have access to online learning platforms for Reading and Mathematics. I am curious how if any do these sites help struggling students who are unsuccessful at mastering the content at any given time?
I agree that districts need to invest in their teachers and staff members. Often, district's adopt new curriculum, methodologies, teaching practices, software, applications and/or technology devices, but neglect in providing its teachers and supporting staff members the needed initial and ongoing training, and professional development to ensure a successful application.

Regards,

Lisa Marie

Karling Skoglund

2/26/2019 07:31:12 pm

Alexis,

I like your approach to making learning engaging and fun. I also use technology to teach math (I assign Khan assessments and videos to watch a few times a week) and make sure that students can connect the math they are learning to real problems they might see. While technology is helpful and can make students learning individualized, I have been wondering and been having more conversations with my colleagues lately about how all this technology may be affecting their ability to learn in other ways. Teaching 6th grade, I am very aware that my homework assignments are competing with my students time to play games (fortnite and others) and honestly, the homework on exponents is never going to be able to compete with the thrill of an online video game. So I am wondering, if we can't beat them, do we join them? Where do we draw the line at technology?

golden williams

2/27/2019 07:17:17 pm

That is very true, schooling is changing as we speak. I feel that teaching is moving in the right direction. Schooling is starting to set up the students to be successful in the future. I feel that we need to make sure that all teachers are on board for the change because some teachers have been teaching for many years and they don’t want to change their style of teaching.

I hear a lot about iReads, and it seems like a great program. Being a Physical Education Teacher, I don’t use iReads in my class, but if I was a classroom teacher I would for sure use it. I wish I had to chance to use iReads when I was a child because I think it would have motivated me a lot more to read. When I was in school, we had a reading program where you would read a book and take a test to see if you comprehended what you read. At the end of the test you would get a score and that was it. I feel if I could have received some type of awards like the badges it would have motivated me more when I was younger.

Samantha Sanchez

2/28/2019 11:54:29 am

Alexis,

I love the idea of using the ST Math program for students in the classroom. As someone who struggled with math, this is something I would have appreciated as an elementary age student. I believe it is incredibly important to set up a solid foundation for students to acquire necessary math in skills starting in K-5. Since math concepts continue to build off one another, it is easy to see how students fall behind and stay there. Turning the lessons into a video game like material makes the information more accessible, and enjoyable for the students to learn math!-hopefully setting them up for success throughout the course of their education!

EDUC 701

Technology in Classroom

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