Building a Case, Issues in Technology Use
Interview 1
– teaching approx. 25 years, 3 different school boards mainly science and math courses
– earlier independent study project using computer in chemistry class involving temp probe and then graph the rates of reaction, computer class was interested in seeing what chemistry class was doing, even made a presentation to IBM in Toronto with the class
– sees software-hardware problems (incompatibility) as being a major hurdle in dealing with technology
– came to conclusions that sometime using technology was not worth the hassle as results from students were not worth the effort
– suggests maybe using technology sparingly and it may be best not to overuse it
– using technology may hinder students from understanding fundamental concepts as software will complete calculations rather than the students
– thinks technology is only given to certain areas like spec ed rather than made available to everyone equally
– likes the fact that some students will be able to have technology at their fingertips with ipods and cell phones, which include great features like stopwatches or timers
– would be interested in integrating online materials in regular class if the technology was available. Also sees it as a possibility to reach out to different types of learners
– thinks technology will become more and more of a necessity in the future, thinks there is no reason to fight it, it is a natural progression
Interview 2
– has been teaching for 4 years in the science and biology setting at the senior and grade 10 level
– teaches in an affluent area
– sees more opportunity for using technology in the physics classroom, and helps students at the grade 10 level focus and continue to be motivated in class
– uses mostly a laptop and projector to give presentations often, uses the videoscope to enlarge microscope eyepiece in biology
– finds he can learn quickly to use most technology and has normally not had an issue with spending too much time coming to understanding
– ETC including remotes that he has had trouble using even after taking time at PD sessions and has not directly been able use it in the classroom
– Is happy with the amount of technology available at the school and believes it is in part due to the support of his department head and principal who both encourage technology use
– technology is well received by applied or college level students, applies to their kinesthetic sense of learning
– has not noticed difference between males and females in response to using technology
– finds that students are often far more technologically advanced and can help him to use some types of technology
– online classrooms are seen as a benefit, especially for certain students who struggle in traditional pen and paper classrooms
Analysis
To complete this task I chose to interview two colleagues, both are science teachers at the same school but they are at different points in their careers. One has much experience and the other is still fairly new with only 4 years of experience. I chose to pick the two individuals especially for that reason as I wanted to compare any differences between ideas that they may have concerning the use of technology. I also was interested to see if the veteran teacher had changed his teaching style at all as technology has changed over his career. I conducted the interviews over skype and used an audio recording program to record the conversations to be transcribed later.
I focused both interviews around 6 main questions to which both respondents spent about 15 minutes discussing their opinions. The questions are:
1. How many years have you been teaching in the classroom?
2. Can you explain how you have specifically integrated technology into your classrooms and explain any benefits or flaws associated with those experiences?
3. When Integrating technology into your classroom have you found it to be worth the time you invested in learning about the technology? In other words did you see results from your students that were improved due to the use of the particular technology?
4. What conditions/materials are provided by your school that enable you to teach using technology?
5. Do you think there would be, or have you seen any different responses between boys and girls, or gifted and struggling students when using technology in the classroom?
6. If you could loan a portable computer to each of your students (laptop or notebook) would you create online materials to supplement your face to face course? What potential benefits or flaws do you see with doing this?
7. Do you find technology to be a necessity or a novelty?
After considering the information given by the two teachers I found in many cases they shared similar views on the issues that were presented. Both had explained how they integrated technology to varying degrees in their classrooms, and I found it interesting to note that the newer teacher used power point software and a projector to present his notes and lectures to the class. Perhaps something that is being done more frequently with new teachers as they have created their class notes with these powerful tools available to them at the start of their career. Both teachers mentioned that they have had trouble using technology in the classroom, however the new teacher mentioned it to a lesser degree stating that he generally learns to use the new technology quickly. Both are relatively happy with the amount of technology available at their school however the experienced teacher does mention there is some favouritism given to certain
departments of the school. Neither teacher mentioned any differences in technology use between genders but the newer teacher does point out his belief that its use does help to motivate struggling students who prefer hands on activities. Both also consider technology to be of great value to the classroom, and look for opportunities to use it in the future. It was interesting to note that the more experienced teacher seemed a bit more concerned about the time it takes to learn how to use technology compared the benefits that it offers.