I saw a news cast that said certain schools in the DC area are doing away with books and going all digital. I thought it was very cool! I don't require my students to carry their book. They leave it at home. This creates way fewer problems with students losing them or having them stolen. Not to say that those problems won't still occur with the technology. If every child is given an iPod, then the children are less likely to steal something they already have. This could bring a new wave of student responsibility. Students are much more careful with their iPods and and cell phones than they are with books.
I can see how this could cause problems as well. If the student breaks the iPod, are they financially responsible for it? What if they can't afford to replace it? What if they use it in ways it wasn't meant to be used? What about the camera function? There are hundreds of questions that I could come up with for reasons not to use the newer technology. However, in our ever changing world, the students will need to know how to properly use technology. Otherwise, the US will fall further and further behind the other leading countries.
Interesting! I'm sure from your reading either this week or for next week you'll see how with every new technology developed to solve a problem, new problems arise :)
ReplyDeleteHow has the introduction of technology into the classroom changed the way you teach and design lessons?
You've hit on a good point, Kate....although those iPods would be great in the classroom, there would be many new challenges accompanying them.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering about the technologies you currently use in your classroom. As Dawn asked, I'm interested in hearing how you currently design lessons, and I'd like to know if that changes during the ITS program. We'll just have to wait and see!