In 2014, every child that I have taught has been familiar with using a SmartPhone, an IPad, a laptop, etc... This is the age of technology, and for students to compete with their international peers, they will have to learn how to navigate the Internet and various functions of the new-age portable computer-like devices.
However, I have found that the increase in the use of technology has created two major learning deficiencies amongst our young people.
Firstly, I have noticed that many young people expect to get the "answer" instantly. They often do not want to use the strategies that have been provided; not because they do not work, but because it takes them longer to "get to the answer".
For example, when teaching phonetics, I use a tap-it-out method for decoding and blending phonemes. Some of my students absolutely HATES to tap it out because they want to say the word correctly instantly. Instead of decoding the word, they will try to guess what the word is. These type of students have a great memory, so if they have seen it before, they can recall and state the word. But with new and multi-syllabic words, they struggle. When I urge them to use the tap-it-out method, they does so begrudgingly; but they always gets the word right!
Another student constantly asks me if there is a faster way to learn how to do math; as if there is a spaceship that can come and beam the concepts and skills into her brain. I have to remind her that mastery comes from repetitious practice. But to an almost-thirteen year old, this is BORING.
What is the correlation to technology? In teaching reading on the college level, I found that many of my students lack dictionary usage skills; they can simply type the word in their phone and derive the meaning instantly. But when I ask them to use the dictionary, they often struggle with how to find the word and identify which entry is the best to use. This world of instant gratification can have harmful educational effects if not properly monitored.
However, I have found that the increase in the use of technology has created two major learning deficiencies amongst our young people.
Firstly, I have noticed that many young people expect to get the "answer" instantly. They often do not want to use the strategies that have been provided; not because they do not work, but because it takes them longer to "get to the answer".
For example, when teaching phonetics, I use a tap-it-out method for decoding and blending phonemes. Some of my students absolutely HATES to tap it out because they want to say the word correctly instantly. Instead of decoding the word, they will try to guess what the word is. These type of students have a great memory, so if they have seen it before, they can recall and state the word. But with new and multi-syllabic words, they struggle. When I urge them to use the tap-it-out method, they does so begrudgingly; but they always gets the word right!
Another student constantly asks me if there is a faster way to learn how to do math; as if there is a spaceship that can come and beam the concepts and skills into her brain. I have to remind her that mastery comes from repetitious practice. But to an almost-thirteen year old, this is BORING.
What is the correlation to technology? In teaching reading on the college level, I found that many of my students lack dictionary usage skills; they can simply type the word in their phone and derive the meaning instantly. But when I ask them to use the dictionary, they often struggle with how to find the word and identify which entry is the best to use. This world of instant gratification can have harmful educational effects if not properly monitored.
Secondly, I find that students are easily distracted. The identification of students with ADD or ADHD has risen 25% from 2001 to 2010, according to a study conducted by Kaiser Permenante. That directly correlates with the technological boom of the past decade; this is in part speculation and in part based on research. Dr. Dimitri Christakis has studied the affects of television on children's mental processing, citing that overstimulation is a source of the problem.
Now trust, me I am not anti-technology in the classroom. Quite the contrary! I abhor paperwork and a lot of clutter, so in college, my students do majority of the work online. I love websites like K12.com, Khan Academy, Coursera, etc... And I would love to one day teach a class overseas by simply using a Smartboard and a video-chat module. Thank goodness for teaching in the 21st century!
However, I believe in being well-rounded. As easily as you can look up the answer online is how you should be able to use a card catalog system (or at least navigate a library). And in a pinch/bind, you can use that calculator on your phone, but first let's try to practice some mental math.
My suggestion: set aside a time where children are on the computer for fun (of course, closely monitored) versus when they are on for learning. Show them that the Internet is a tool for learning, but not our only one. Give them 30 minutes of online work and also 30 minutes of written work.
Balance is the key- then the scales of this technology-driven world may be tipped back in the favor of enlightenment and intellectual growth.
Thanks for reading- what do you think?
SB
Now trust, me I am not anti-technology in the classroom. Quite the contrary! I abhor paperwork and a lot of clutter, so in college, my students do majority of the work online. I love websites like K12.com, Khan Academy, Coursera, etc... And I would love to one day teach a class overseas by simply using a Smartboard and a video-chat module. Thank goodness for teaching in the 21st century!
However, I believe in being well-rounded. As easily as you can look up the answer online is how you should be able to use a card catalog system (or at least navigate a library). And in a pinch/bind, you can use that calculator on your phone, but first let's try to practice some mental math.
My suggestion: set aside a time where children are on the computer for fun (of course, closely monitored) versus when they are on for learning. Show them that the Internet is a tool for learning, but not our only one. Give them 30 minutes of online work and also 30 minutes of written work.
Balance is the key- then the scales of this technology-driven world may be tipped back in the favor of enlightenment and intellectual growth.
Thanks for reading- what do you think?
SB
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