This week, we explored ways of evaluating technology through Bates & Poole’s framework: SECTIONS.
The breakdown for SECTIONS is as follows:
S – Students
E – Ease of Use
C – Cost
T – Teaching and Learning
I – Interactivity
O – Organization
N – Novelty
S – Speed
In general, this is a good initial evaluation to assess the need for the new technology. It will work well for all grades, but I feel that it is more useful for the secondary level students to post-secondary students. Teachers and administrators can both use this framework as it covers multiple perspectives in choosing the right technology.
Thinking about my school, I agree that students should be a priority when choosing the technology. It is important that the technology is specifically chosen according to the needs of our students to support their learning and not using technology for the sake of using technology. For our school, we have an ongoing battle with the students in trying to eliminate technology in the classroom. However, I feel it is time to embrace some technology and put them to good academic use. It is inevitable that each student will have their mobile phone or their ipod with them. It is also inevitable that they will have some sort of electronic translator, in addition to their paper dictionary. As well, most students have some basic knowledge of how computers and laptops work. Therefore, I think it is time to figure out how to BEST incorporate these media tools in classroom projects, making them more effective rather than disruptive in the classroom.
In saying this, I am not encouraging cellphone usage or text messaging in the classroom. I want my students to be aware that it is inappropriate to use these functions during lessons and lectures. However, rather than confiscating these devices (which will cause students to be upset the entire class), my goal is to prepare a lesson where they would be more engaged with the material at hand and not with their devices. This may also include using these devices in some way. More thoughts on this later.
Overall, I think SECTIONS is a good way to assess the necessity of certain technology in the classroom. Now I need to find an assessment tool to measure the effectiveness of using the technology in the classroom. Is the effort to incorporate technology into the lesson to replace the traditional method worth it?
Bates, A. W. and Poole, G. (2003) Effective Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Foundations for Success. New York: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.