Discussion Post #A

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In the section, 'Technology in the Classroom', the author mentions how using technology could help students learn and also explore more by using technology versus sitting down, doing assignments at their desk. I think having students interact with technology is a better way to get them involved, especially with the older grades. The older students like to be able to use their own handheld devices in school and if the teacher gives them certain work to do from their device, I don't see any harm in having them use it! Working with a kindergarten class, it's also good to incorporate technology as well because they see all that they could do using the computer. In class, we use our Smartboard to have kids practice letters, numbers and also writing their name. It gives them different ways to practice, but also learn how to write and use technology that is now included in majority of the classrooms.

In the following section called 'Motivating Factors', it mentions how kids feel inside their classrooms and reasons why they don't enjoy being at school. In this graph, it shows the top five reasons students drop out of school...

As you can you, the one with the most percent is "classes were not interesting". "Many students at every grade level, report feeling detached and alienated from school." (Yazzie-Mintz 2007) A major way to help this issue is to start using technology to help students engage in what they're learning in class and to also to get them to feel like they are involved. Also, using technology, it can be a faster way for teachers and students to communicate. Some students feel like they don't get enough feedback from their teacher about their work and as a student myself, I've felt this way before as well. I think one way to make it a better experience is to make sure we use our technology the right way and wisely. Getting back to our students about how well they've done or what they can do to improve will help the classroom out tremendously. Students will want to come to school & they'll want to hear what you have to say.

The last section I read, 'Ideas for Technology Use', clearly states some pros and cons about including technology in classrooms. Some say it distracts students from what they are really suppose to be doing, but then some say, it helps students learn better by using it. Some also believe it affects a students intellectual development. But I think you'll always have your pros and cons about anything you use in school, especially technology. The way a teacher presents technology on how to use it and the right way to use it, will show students how to use it to help them.

In conclusion, technology will have its downfall at times, but it will also have its moments where a teacher will use it in all their lessons! At first, I myself, was against having the younger students use technology in classes because in my belief, they were "too young". But after reading Chapter 1, I can see how it could really help students learn better. Students learn different than others: You have some who are visual and some who are more of a listener. I'm more of a visual learner so to have technology used to help explain a lesson, helps me a lot on getting my assignments done. Technology is coming up in this world very fast. It's something we can't avoid. As the years go on, it's only going to be incorperated more into classrooms so might as well get on board now!

Resources

• Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc