Accessibility
is a key concept when it comes to any teaching situation. As an educator it is important to make
anything in your classroom—homework, projects, notes—easily accessible to the
students. In cases like Olivia, her lack
of access to a computer hinders her ability to complete certain tasks. If
something is going to be assigned that requires a computer, it is pertinent to allow
time in the classroom for students to work on the computer just in case there
is no access at home. A teacher can’t
assume that a student can immediately access a computer at home. This lack of computer causes inaccessibility
for the education of students. An educator
must understand the importance of using technology, but must make
accommodations when needed.
1) Text Messaging: Labeling
text messaging as number one is an understatement; I first discovered text
messaging in the 8th grade, and would go over my text messaging
limits by the hundreds. In college, I
have sent and received upwards of 10,000 messages per month. Text messaging has
helped my life because it allows me keep contact with long distance
friendships. I can instantly send a
text, and have a full conversation with anyone no matter where I am. On the other hand, it has hurt me because
while I love talking to people, I have become less inclined to call someone on
the phone because I can just send them a text message. And I do miss late night phone calls, but
those have turned into late night text sessions. I do not believe texting has severely affected
my ability to speak to others, but it has allowed me to avoid interactions with
others by hiding behind a phone.
2) Social Media: I have been using
websites like Myspace, Facebook and Twitter since the 7th grade.
Through Myspace I learned HTML coding, and other computer language, like binary
code, that has helped me in some of my classes.
Through Facebook and Twitter, I have access to so much news, and pop
culture information that I don’t need to leave a single page in order to find
out the most current events or celebrity gossip. While these social networking sites have
helped me connect with more people, increased my knowledge of internet ins and
outs, and opened new ways for me to access information, they come at a
price. When it comes to getting work
done, these sites all get in the way.
Just like texting, it seems that the sites can’t be put down, and are a
tool for procrastination.
3) Blogging: Blogging, just like the
social media sites, have opened new doorways for me when it comes to
communication. Not only has blogging
strengthened what the social media sites taught me, but it also allows me to
keep a journal of sorts. I love to
write, but being so busy, I can’t always force myself to sit down with a
notebook and pen to write what I want.
With blogging, since I always have my computer, I can sit down anywhere
and post a random thought, or share a picture I like with others. This forms an
online journal that allows me to practice my writing. Blogging has made my hobbies more accessible.
After
watching “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn,” I was taken aback by all of
the innovative ways that those students used technology. Maybe it wasn’t really innovative, but it was
innovative for me because I had never thought like that. When the student mention that “writing and
reading have been taken over by technology” I quickly returned to my previous
paragraph in which I mentioned how I keep an online journal. The one student made the connection between
online gaming and in-class group work especially impressed me. Who knew there were so many transferable
skills I was learning by playing Call of Duty online. The one girl mentioned that her phone was
attached to her body—a third arm—and that is precisely how I feel. Another mentioned how his website is an
extension of himself. Through Myspace,
facebook, and twitter and even blogging, my personality and interests shine
through. The one student was right: Technology is “paving the way for us to move
forward as a species and a civilization.” Keeping in mind students like Olivia,
and students from “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn,” it is important to
maintain a healthy balance between using technology so students aren’t left behind.
I have to agree with you in that accessibility is key when it comes to incorporating teaching and technology. I often wonder, how should we as teachers encourage students who do not have access to technology to become familiar with it? Whether students choose to continue their education and go to college or look for work after high school, computers will be a part of their future. I also agree with you that texting is a form of "hiding behind the phone" but how can we overcome that? While texting does make it easier to have conversations without talking on the phone for hours, I have found that it can create more arguments. Maybe I'm too sensitive, but I find that there are times I tend to misinterpret a text and it can lead to a disagreement.
ReplyDeleteHi Arturo,
ReplyDeleteI was also taken back by the student's comment that technology is how our society is going to advance as a civilization. I had never thought of technology's impact in that way, but that is absolutely how it's becoming. As you point out, we "hide" behind technology and avoid calling people on the phone or sometimes, even meeting up. I wonder what kind of impact this will have on our society, as I remember a large amount of anxiety when I became an adult and had to call doctors to make appointments because I couldn't text or email to make my appointment. Maybe one day soon, we will be able to.
How would you help your students with overcoming technology anxiety? Do you think you'll use the inventive ways students use technology as a way to improve your classroom? Would you take your inspiration directly from your students or simply google various idea for technology integration?
Arturo, I wholeheartedly agree that the students in the "Learning to Change" video were incorporating technology into the educative experience in innovative ways, which is something we should all strive to do in the classroom. Likewise, I liked your incorporation of the quote, which didn't register with me as much as when I read it. Technology will surely advance our society, but the repercussions of its abuse should be noted. At what cost, especially in education, will the overbearing reaches of technology negatively affect students?
ReplyDeleteArturo,
ReplyDeleteI too found the ways students used technology in the "Learning to Change" video to be extremely innovative. I found that the students in the video noted many valuable skills in their presentation that I had not previously associate with technology usage. For instance, the one student noted that through video games he learned to communicate and coordinate with his peers just as he would in a classroom setting. I found this observation to be very astute and I feel that if we as educators were to examine social technology and other technologies, typically used for enjoyment purposes, for educational value we would be able to more effectively incorporate these technologies within our classrooms. I feel that we can all learn from the students in this video by considering the skills gained in our day-to-day interactions with these technologies and then channeling this towards our subject matter and curriculum.
Arturo, this is an excellent blogpost: It addresses both the positive and negative influences of your 3 chosen technologies and lingers in a comparison/contrast between your experiences and those of the students from the videos. The only thing I'll add to your insightful reflection is that Olivia's story also teaches us that we can no longer hide behind "lack of access" as an excuse to avoid technology integration in the classroom. Olivia is an example of someone who finds access although socio-economically the odds are stacked against her. As teachers, it is essential that we not only get to know our students and their families, but also learn about the communities of which our school belongs and reach out to help students find access. That in and of itself is a powerful learning moment.
ReplyDeleteArturo:
ReplyDeleteAfter you posted on my blog and felt the same way about teachers' roles in reference to accessibility of technology, I was curious to know what else you had to say about it. Your idea of blogging as an expressive outlet is very interesting. When you describe blogging in this way, it makes me really want to incorporate that in my English classroom. I want to work with High School students and I feel that that age group, can have a lot to say but not enough people to listen. Isn't it our job as teachings to lead the way and present them with tools they can use to say what and how they feel? I like that you included "posting a random thought" as part of blogging. As teachers, so many times we focus on the more concrete things such as, looking for the right answer. We disregard the emotional response of the student. By encouraging blogging, I too believe that students can "post a random thought," something that is so often been suppressed in the history of education. Blogging can allow us to see deeper into our students. Thanks for that.