With a new school year starting, teachers naturally make goals in hopes of becoming a more effective educator. With all of the talk about using technology in the classroom, many of these goals probably revolve around implementing tech into instruction. There are numerous ways to do this. Rather than try and cover them all in one blog post, I thought I would make a list of what not to do with the technology. Don’t get me wrong, the activities I am going to list here are not necessarily bad, but I am not sure they constitute using technology to enhance instruction. A few of them might be considered torture.
1. Showing movies with the projector is not using technology effectively.
2. Using the interactive whiteboard just like you used to use the chalk board is not using technology effectively.
3. Having students print pictures from Google images to paste onto a poster is not using technology effectively.
4. Using PowerPoint or the document camera as a means for students to copy notes is not using technology effectively.
5. Having students copy notes from an overhead projector should be considered a crime and is definitely not an effective use of technology.
This is just a start. Let me know in the comments how tech should not be used in the classroom.
Giving kids free rein with an iPod at a learning station is not effective use of technology. iPods/iPads are learning devices that are great tools, when paired with proper instruction. Teach students how to use a high quality, product producing app that supports instruction and independent learning – don’t just let them play. Then the device is not a tool, it’s toy.
Great topic, by the way. Love it.
Great point!
All good points. A few made me smile. Let’s remember, too, that many teachers are uncomfortable or just unaware of how to incorporate technology into their daily routine. Many more have few or no devices at their disposal. We need a movement in this country to make technology devices and hardware available to all classrooms, just like chairs and desks. Then we need quality staff development opportunities for teachers to participate in on a regular basis. Can you imagine a corporation releasing devices without training their employees? It happens all the time in education.
Tech should not be a substitute for the teacher. You can’t just give them websites, let them run, and assume they will meet a stated objective. Always circulate and ask questions. Give a clear outcome expectations.