Over the years, I think we have all noticed the major increase in electronic texts. Online texts and print forms are everywhere. As someone who has always been about using technology, I have found myself changing over to the digital print. Most of my news comes from reading articles online. Over time I have become more used to reading novels and text books on a screen as well. With the sometimes drastic lower price, digital text books have become more prominent lately for our college classes. I have never had a problem with any of this and it's even environmentally friendly by not having to use paper. But in the reading by Pandya, it is talked about how the electronic forms "open up space for expanded and enhanced practices of critical literacy". While this could be a good thing, the article also points out the other side saying "that educators would have trouble learning about and subsequently integrating these fast-developing digital literacies into curricula in a timely way". In a lot of ways I agree with this. As much as I am capable of being able to read and get books digitally, how can I know how to best use the digital forms in my class? Do you guys think that there will eventually be a time where everything is digital? I think that there is going to have to be something out there eventually that helps teachers with this, whether it be in actual teacher prep courses or in their schools they work in, because all the young kids are growing up with more and more technology and become better and more familiar with it. I think that because of that, it might hurt them if they are not able to involve their technology skills in the classroom and in schools. While I don't think that kids should just sit on electronic devices all day, if it is because they are reading and doing all their school work and helping them grow, then how can I be against it?
Just looking to see what you guys think. Feel free to challenge or go along with anything I have brought up.
Rhys
Rhys, I sure hope there isnt a time where everything is all digital. I will always like the idea of opening a new book and the smell of it. While I too read news from my phone, the old school newspaper is always better as they verify all their sources where as digital media might not, since its posted within seconds and its constantly changing. I don't know maybe I am old school, but I truly hope thats not the case.
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree. With certain things I definitely like the feel of having the book in front of me and being able to flip back and forth. I don't think that it will happen but I can see a time where its very little print and way more digital text. Not that I want it to be that way but I can see it happening.
DeleteRhys, although I do see the benefit of access of electronic texts being more accessible to kids, I'm still "old school" in the sense that I feel students (especially at a young age) still benefit more and can focus more when they have a hard copy of the text in front of them, physically moving their hand across the page. I still see this in all of the classrooms that I've been in. I will say I have seen both physical book reading as well as reading on iPads. Now that I'm thinking more deeply about it, I would say that I feel teachers should be having students read actual books as well as reading on technology so that they are keeping an equal balance.
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree with you have said. I will say that one of my thoughts for young kids and ipads is that they are on them so much at home, with their friends, at school and anywhere else that it might be easier for them to read on the ipad than the physical book. Do I believe that should be the case? No way but I would be interested to see what younger students would have to say.
DeleteRhys,
ReplyDeleteI like the point that you make as far as having access to electronic texts. Personally, I like reading articles and actually having the hard copy in front me so that I can make notes and highlight. When I ready digital texts, it is harder for me to focus. I hope that reading doesn't all become digital one day! However, I do think that using technology in the classroom is important and students should have access it to it. I have seen different programs and apps that are very beneficial to students. I see it in the classroom at well now, and Ericson used to use it a lot as well. I think having a balance is important and students should have access to different types of reading. It will keep the students more engaged and interested!
Resilda
Yeah at Ericson they did so much with the chromebooks and at my new school Talman, they also do a lot with chromebooks. I feel that kids are just so used to it that they might read better but I think they need to be able to read with both types.
DeleteRhys,
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea of having a class or course to help teachers with using technology in their classrooms. However, I do not think there will be a time where classrooms will only depend on or work with technology. I have been in classrooms where teachers have tried to do most of their lessons on computers so that students would be more comfortable using computers for their education. But there was more time wasted in the process than saved. Computers kept breaking down, not opening, wifi problems, etc. The technology problems took up way more time than using books and papers.
I agree with your point on how using computers is environment friendly and can also be cheaper sometimes, but with the limited resources and budget cuts in the CPS schools, using laptops in classrooms would waste much time and have the students very easily distracted (going on sites such as Facebook, Youtube, etc.).
Another problem that a teacher might encounter is having students without computer access at home. Not all the students in the classroom will afford to have internet access or computers at home. In that case, arrangements will have to be made for them to get to a computer outside the classroom (which can add stress or cause problems to the students).
Overall, technology is a great aspect to have in a classroom, but only for specific classrooms and schools that are financially supported and staffed.
Darin, I really like the points that you brought up. I think I was thinking more just with reading books and articles but all of your points are very valid and I think are the exact things that we see our schools dealing with in our placements. I think that the financial and access at home will be the big reasons that classrooms never become completely digital.
DeleteRhys,
ReplyDeleteI feel like children should be able to do both. Although interacting with the digital text is important, it is also important that students know what a library is and how to get a book. Not all kids have internet access and we might not always be around internet access. Students need to be taught how to do things more than one way and how to navigate with text that are not digital. ALthough we can annotate with digital devices, there is nothing like annotating on an actual passage. It is also a preference which they won't know unless they try both ways. Once children learn both ways they can make a decision on how they learn best and what to interact with text.
Yeah I really feel that a good balance between the digital and print will be the most beneficial. There are things that are beneficial when you read from both print or digital. And I am with you that there is just something about when you can highlight or make notes right on to your print copy with your own pen or highlighter. The actual at of annotating helps just stick the idea with you.
DeleteMany schools are integrating the idea of "paperless" homework and assignments. For example, my old high school now only uses chrome books, my sister does not get any paper assignments nor books. This is happening nation wide and world wide. So I agree when you say it might hurt students to no use technology in school when they literally are born into a very prominent tech world. Over the years, I believe, iPads will be the students new libraries, if not already for most. I also believe that access to the internet will become more easy and affordable over time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your view, its difficult to be against technology in the classroom when one their are so many educational tools and apps but also because it is the reality of our world and our students future, allowing them to use technology is another form of preparing them for the world. As for me I think I would strive to have a balance in my classroom between traditional teaching and teaching/homework that uses and involves technology.
ReplyDeleteHi Rhys,
ReplyDeleteI find this topic to be very interesting. I really agree that there should be a preparation course on technology devices for teachers. Technology tools can greatly increase specific classroom activities, so I believe they are a useful tool to utilize in class.