Every year, at multiple times, I poll my students to see how many have access to technology and the types of technology they use. This year is consistent with last year except for the appearance of tablets. Aside for hardware, the technology tools my students use outside of the classroom fall into two categories: communication and games. The communication tools include both SMS (text) and social media. Only one student reported Tweeting at the beginning of this school year, while almost all use Facebook, and a few blogged. Most of them reported texting daily. I have lots of reservation interacting with my students in this fashion; the professional line becomes too blurred. I maintain a webpage for them, where I include upcoming tasks, assignments, and notes. They may also email me at my work address. I would love for the district to get on board with social media, providing a venue for online presence. I recently learned that there may be some nods towards Edmodo, a social learning site. Social media is an excellent venue for social learning. The interactions can be genuine, and in the right environment, safe. My students are already on board with the idea, so transitioning them into using an educationally focused, secure site would allow them to use what they already comfortable with, for learning. This CNet article was one of many good arguments for inclusion of this technology.
I think mobile technologies (including tablets) have revolutionary implications for education, but our district has an extremely restrictive "unapproved electronic device" (see page 20 here) policy, making it essentially out of the question. Organization tools, digital assignments, instant access to web resources and digital libraries, and the ability to access content from multiple directions yield maximum opportunities - I hope this changes soon.
Most games are either console (XBox and PlayStation seem to be the favorites), or are apps. Many play the Facebook games, use their phone/iPod, and, for the few that have them, on their tablets. I use games in class with some regularity, using USATestPrep for test preparation and practice. I think games in isolation have some benefit (again, for review and practice), but the social component is value-added.
Marvin, I am the safe-haven for the kids at our school - they come to me in the library or classroom to use whichever tool it is. As long as they can prove to me they are using it for school-related work, fine with me. Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2000) felt the development of cognitive presence is most relevant for higher education. I wonder which presence you feel is most relevant for K-12 education and which digital tools best support those types of online communities?
ReplyDeleteMarvin, Have you used Edmodo in the classroom? I have with mixed success. I do like it and see a lot of potential with it. At the same time, I have had to do a GREAT deal of moderating with controlling active 6th graders. I even had one 6th grader create a teacher account to try and gain more access. The same 6th grader, a very tech savvy individual, also hacked into another 6th grader's account. It was a great forum for discussion, despite these hiccups. I am looking at continually changing/modifying my use of it for successful experiences with my students with hopefully less hiccups.
ReplyDeleteMarvin,
ReplyDeleteI like your post especially the rapport that you have established with your students. Allowing them to use various technology devices demonstrates a blended environment for your students. This allows you to address various learning styles as well as form face-to-face interaction with them. Like you, I am not comfortable interacting with my students on Faceback and blogging due to keeping the relationship professional at all times. However, the team of teachers and I have incorporated a website for our students as well as their parents to access class assignments as well as homework each week. We have received positive feedback from our Administrators and colleagues in the building. I am a firm believer that students need to feel a sense of control when it comes to their education, as they are able to maintain their grades in each class.
I attended a Professional Conference last month, and one of the presenters suggested that all teachers need to create a Facebook page to social with their students. I do not agree with this, and I am hoping (praying) the district does not make this a requirement its teachers. What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel the professional relationship between teachers and students will be compromised? Why? or Why not? Shannon~