Today’s class centered me a little bit more. My thoughts about ICT are not as scattered as they were on Thursday. It has been very difficult to pick one topic to focus and do an inquiry about for the next two weeks. I have been interested in finding online resources for struggling readers as well online communication techniques that can be used in the classroom. I rarely get to see the parents of the students that I work with. I am always sending notices home and inviting parents to come in or participate in our celebration of success events. I would love to set up a blog or a website directed at the parents. The other thing that has been bouncing around in my head is to inquire about how nature and technology can be balanced in the classroom. I have a a real connection with this topic and believe that nature and the environment is part of my teaching identity. I have always lived in the country, surrounded by animals, and beautiful natural settings. I strongly believe in endorsing nature in the classroom and sharing with students by going outside. Hmmm,.. there is an obvious problem between this and our future visions for using ICT in the classroom. Is it possible to effectively teach how to appreciate, respect and connect with the environment while at the same time forge ahead into the digital classroom? I want to know more about balancing screen time, social skills, going outside, and being active. Is that too much to ask?
I am well aware that children love being in front of the screen. After school I know that for many of my students that is all they do when they get home. If we bring more technology into the classroom will children ever get a break from the screen or have a reason to remove themselves from technology? Personally this last week has been a big adjustment for me. First I am living in the city right now, and I have never spent so much time on the computer!
So many things to find out about these pertinent questions.
On the other head, I had a great experience using mindmeister.
On a side note I am listening to my first webinar while writing this. It is about using technology to investigate the outdoors. At first I was surprised by the length. It is one hour long but fascinating!
Good thinking, Tess. I would be careful, though, to assume that time spent learning on screens negates the possibility of time spent doing other things, like appreciating nature, or engaging in creative projects. The fact that students might be spending time alone on screens after school waiting for family to get home is not a fair comparison of screen time compared with using screens to research the local natural environment, identifying plant and animal species and then going out and collecting digital specimens to use in an art project. When children are left alone to care for themselves because everyone is busy, they are using their screen time to address a different situation: social isolation and loneliness. This not their choice, this is the life they have been given to live in this society. What if, because they were working on an interesting study of the local environment inspired in school, their screen time after school was combined with working on drawing of local flora and fauna? Now their time in solitude is not spent mind numbing to pass the time, but they are actively working on an exciting project, maintaining their inspiration and connectivity through digital communications?