Technology is here to stay.
That’s a fact, but what role should it play in the classroom? Should it be used to supplement traditional
teaching techniques, or can it actually replace them in certain
situations. Let’s talk about a
real-world example.
Jefferson Community
College, in upstate NY, is now administering
basic math classes via computer
technology. Students interact with a
computer program that shows video lessons and gives practice homework that is
automatically graded with feedback.
Students are not allowed to progress to the next chapter until they
score at least an 80 on the chapter exam.
The students still meet at their regular class time, but they meet in a
computer lab, where the teacher acts as a tutor, and is there only to help the student
when they get stuck. Each student
progresses at his/her own pace. Some
finish the 15-week course in only 7 weeks, while others take 2 semesters to
finish the course.
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| Some view technology as the future of education |
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| Will technology result in the dehumanization of education? |
Some are hailing this
as a true breakthrough, while others view it with disdain. Without the computer technology, the teacher
could not physically give the students the same amount of feedback and differentiation
of instruction. But, are we sacrificing
the “human” component of education? How
will this affect the students? How would
affect yours? This is being implemented
in a college course, but why not in K-12?
Let’s hear your opinions on it.
This sounds like an amazing program! I have seen something like this being used in anew AIR reading class. The students each would log on and begin working wherever they left off the previous day, the program gives them feedback throughout and the teacher can help if needed. This is a wonderful way for students to work at their own pace and get instant feedback on their work/progress. I think this type of educational program can be so useful especially if it is incorporated with traditional education. I could see using this as a center, while the teacher is working in small groups witH other students. This would open so many doors for classrooms with only one teacher, it's almost impossible to give each student the individual attention they really need.
ReplyDelete-Bennett Calogero
Trying for the third time to write on here
DeleteBennett,
DeleteYour idea of implementing this into a circulation of centers is a great idea. I could see using this at younger levels because it is hard to meet with every child. I could also see it being used in Special Education classrooms.
Before I rewrite my comment, I want to see if this is visible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bennett that the program describe above sounds terrific. I have seen programs before that are personalized for each student, and which address specific individualized learning goals. As to whether technology should supplement or replace "human contact" teaching techniques, I see both as part of a teacher's repertoire. There are situations where the internet is a wonderful resource for learning and practicing. In other situations, human contact is preferable. Also, different learners respond differently to these two "tools". As a learner myself, learning from videos the way we did in MST1 was great, but so were the face-to-face classes I have taken. Like most things, each technique has its benefits and ideal time and place.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of the “flipped”classroom is groundbreaking, yet terrifying at the same time. When I hear things about courses being completely replaced by computers, my mind immediately wanders to the commercial about “Public School Online”. Since this is now common enough to be advertised in mainstream media, how is it being received? I am a “blended learning” classroom, which entails my students following an instructional model that has three basic components. My students are broken down into three groups based on skill gaps and academic level - they then spend ⅓ of the day face-to-face with me, ⅓ of the day working on a collaborative project, and ⅓ of the day on digital, adaptive content. Although I was skeptical at first, I like this model because I still have control over the content and pace, and can provide students with that human quality that computers lack. The idea of computer replacing teachers is scary. Without teachers being proactive about prioritizing their role in the classroom, adaptive programs have the ability to replace the teacher.
ReplyDelete*Note: I do not agree with solely digital content - but am in favor of a blended model.
Elizabeth Hart
I think technology is great for many different reasons, specifically in this case you write about Don where students are able to work at their own pace. My question is what happens to those students that finish ahead of time? They can only go so far ahead of the rest of the class. The individualized learning seems like it would work but not having any time to work as a class or in small groups seems to not be well suited for those that may learn differently. A part of learning is learning from each other and having that moment when you finally understand something and the whole class is there to encourage and praise one another. The idea of this post scares me a little too. If this seems to be working so well, then what is to happen to teachers? Are we only going to be used as "tutors"? I hope it never comes down to education only being on the computer and never face-to-face. As Elizabeth writes, I am also in favor of the blended model because I think it helps to meet the different needs of students. The perfect balance.
ReplyDeleteI think education requires a "personal touch," especially for K-12 students because social interaction teaches students various lessons that can't just be absorbed and understood through a computer. I much prefer the idea of a hybrid course that allows students to collaborate in the classroom as well as obtaining information online.
ReplyDeleteI want to make sure this works first.
DeleteHuman being will always needs other human to develop socially and intellectually. As a blended fourth grade teacher, I have see where the use of technology has raised the level of learning in my classroom especially because of the type of students that I have in my room. Our district blended application provides the students with content providers that the students can learn at their own pace as they so choose. Being blended offers my students the ability to have every side of the coin. There are students in my classroom right now who because of technology are now doing 5th and 6th grade math. It also is a good resource to fill those gaps for students who are missing foundational skills because it helps the students on their own level and build them up to be on par with their grade level. The drawback I see with the use of digital content providers, especially for students who are learning pass their grade level is the difficulty of not having the time to address or give feedback when they are faced with challenging problems that are above their grade and learning capacity. In a blended classroom, there should still be whole group lessons, there should be collaborative and independent learning: the only added resource is the blended addition to the classroom and as Francesca said earlier in her post, it should provide a balance where student are still getting face to face interaction but at the same time they take more responsibility for their learning so not everything falls on the shoulders of the teacher.
ReplyDelete