Transcription | Analysis |
Q1. What are some specific examples of how you use technology to engage students?“I use the Smart Board for checking prior knowledge, enhancing new concepts and metacognition. I find I can use it to help the kids think about their learning, not just the content.”“I like to have the kids use the laptops to make presentations like PowerPoint, Notebook and Animoto. They love using them to present in front of the rest of the class.”
Q2. What technology would you like to see implemented into your classroom teaching?
“I would really like to see iPad and iPhone apps used in class. There are so many available that there must be some good ones to use in science.”
Q3. Can you think of some examples of how technology has made a negative impact on students in your classroom?
“ Kids these days get off-task so easily. When we use the laptops I find I have to really monitor what pages they are on. That is why I have my desk at the back of the room. I can see every screen when I am walking at the back.”
Q4. What challenges do you face when implementing new technology into your teaching?
“There is so much information to choose from that the kids get somewhat anxious as they start out. I guess discerning quality information from trash would be the toughest part.”
“Detecting bias in technology is also very difficult, especially when you don’t know who or how many authors create something online.”
Q5. How do your colleagues share technological knowledge with each other? How do you think this can be improved?
“It is mostly shared through our PD sessions throughout the year.”
“We could have a tech moment during every staff meeting where we can share the most current educational information.”
Q6. Describe the ideal physical classroom setup for technology use. -iPads, Smard Boards, laptops, projectors, document cameras, cell phones, and gaming systems “If I had ready access to all of these there would be so much that I could in a science class. You know what? We do have most of this stuff. I guess it would be nice to have it here in my room all the time. To have it right here and pull it out when it makes sense to do so.” This interview took place after school in LG’s classroom on Jan 18th, 2012. She is a junior high science and language arts teacher with 8 years of teaching experience. The room is outfitted with a Smart Board and 32 student desks, in rows.
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I found that LG is really trying to use the technology that we have learned through PD in her classroom. With the implementation of Smart Boards in the school, she uses what has been shared but does not explore much beyond what others have taught her.LG tries to make the Smart Board interactive for her students, not just a screen at the front.The school has recently purchased laptop carts and a new computer lab, making a total of 4 class sets of computers. The programs that LG uses have all been pushed heavily at the school in the past through PD activities.Question I have: How do teachers become explorers of technology instead of mere users?
The use of smart phones has been as hot topic lately and there have not been any definitive answers whether they should be used in schools or not. I need to do some research on studies that show the effects of smart phone use in class.
A common problem with technology integration is distractibility. Our class has discussed where the line should be drawn between tool and toy. It has come up that we use our toys for tools after work, why can’t we use the tools for toys during work. The whole balance of the private/public work relationship is changing. We are always working, so why not play a little at work?
The information era and the internet makes great amounts of information available to everyone but the quality may be diminished as anyone can be an author.
What steps do educators need to take to teach students about quality and choosing reliable sources.
What biases are evident in technology use? Do they affect our use of technology and how?
As noted earlier, LG learns and uses the technology presented during PD sessions and would like to learn more but finds it difficult to do so on her own. Constant guidance and support would be beneficial for many staff.
Great idea that would only take 2 minutes every month in staff meetings.
Our school does have access to most of the items listed but is not always to schedule with everyone else who wants to use it. The librarian only works at the school 3 days a week, which makes it even more difficult to coordinate. Access to the technology is key. I should be readily available in each department and ideally, in every classroom, depending on the teacher’s comfort level. |