Do you agree with Prensky's notion that requiring students to "power down" in school actually impedes their learning?
I agree and disagree at the same time. Technology is a powerful learning tool IF it is being used for learning. It IS powerful BECAUSE it is entertaining, engaging, fast paced and nearly limitless. In that sense not being able to use technology is almost disabling. At the same time, the entertainment qualities can also become a distraction. The lack of limits is scary. There are some things we may not want to know that could be forced upon us.
How might allowing students to use technological devices in class help or hinder their learning?
The use of technology in the classroom is helpful. I have 5 computers in my classroom and yes; I know I’m lucky. My students use these computers to practice their reading, phonics and math skills. Being able to use the Lexia software and access online math games helps to take some of the drudgery out of practice. Lexia is a “smart” program that keeps track of student’s answers and can increase or decrease the level of difficulty automatically. It also allows teachers to monitor their use and alerts us to areas where students are not making progress. It spits out fancy reports and offers resources for direct instruction. I also use Read 180 a product put out by Scholastic.
What place do you see in the classroom for laptops, cell phones, mp3 players, social networking sites, Wikipedia, and other technologies?
We use laptops throughout our school for the Lexia software mentioned above. The machines are also available for publishing writing, for research and other projects.
What is your school's policy regarding technology in school?
Kids aren’t allowed cell phones or handheld games during the school day.
Do you believe your policy meets the needs of your students? If so, why? If not, what changes would you make?
My school is K-5 and at this level it is enough. We teachers are learning and slowly incorporating what are, I hope, the best ideas and uses of technology for students. Blogs to publish writing, share books and photo projects and hopefully much more to come.
How can teachers and administrators balance the desire to stay up-to-date with the need to always make sure that teachers can use the techniques and technologies that best suit their students?
We need to try it for ourselves and try it with our kids. What works one year may not work the next. What works for one kid may not work for another. We no longer make every child write with his/her right hand, yet we haven’t got every child plugged in either.
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