Last weekend's class - and specifically the guest speakers - really kick started my brain to reflect on how I typically incorporate technology in the classroom. With a critical eye focused on my actions, I started to wonder if technology has become a tool for behavior management rather than a tool for learning.
Take my classroom for example. Despite the stigma surrounding the "BYOD" (bring your own device) practice, I typically allow my students to listen to music during lab time. Now, when I initially agreed to their pleadings, I thought granting this "privilege" would convince my students to stay on-task and focused. I soon realized - after talking to colleagues - that my "intention" was not too sensible.
So what purpose was the technology actually serving?
Unfortunately, I now know that my true motive for granting permission was to keep students from yapping at each other. Their iPhones and iPods don't enhance their learning. All they do is silently distract them. Thus surfaces a judgment call. What is more important - students have no distractions from their devices but their attention is interrupted by classroom happenings OR the classroom is completely quiet but students are selecting new songs every 4 minutes?
All of this reflection then led me to wonder if teachers - more often than not - use technology to promote positive behavior. An example of this might be teachers using "computer time" as a reward. The technology is now a new form of incentive, but is it promoting learning while reinforcing good behavior? Of course students are motivated to use "technology", but as educators, is this really how we want to utilize technology in our classrooms?
As of today, I have not reached a conclusion in regards to the BYOD practice, but input is certainly appreciated.
Until next time...
Soap Box: You mentioned educators using computers as a reward; personally I am against all forms of "rewards". I think "rewards" are what is wrong with today's professional workforce. They think they should be rewarded for doing the bare minimum of their job, when that is what they are being paid in the first place. If we want them to go above and beyond their "normal" duties then they want more of a reward, at what point do rewards STOP!?
ReplyDeleteI think educators do often use technology as a reward and that is unfortunate. We should make student learning their intrinsic reward. I find many teachers also use ipods as a way to get students to stay quiet and do their work. In reality it is discouraging interaction among students, which can sometimes lead to greater learning. I find myself doing it at time as well, and always struggle with the benefits of students staying focused (although multitasking is not possible), versus the benefits of the interaction.
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time trying to figure out how to use technology in the classroom. Technology is very easy to implement, but are we using the technology in an academic sense? Perhaps, the real answer with technology is to get students to explore what is out there. Allow students to find an interest in something and then allow them To problem solve for the future. Let students focus on improving and enhancing the current technology.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I feel that educators use the technology reward mainly as a way to keep down the talking in class. I'm not sure how effective it is in promoting learning for the majority of students. However,some students may excel with this option. My son does extremely well in school even while multi-tasking (headphones while doing homework). He also welcomes the opportunity to work in peace after dealing with classroom disruptions by the "idiots" throughout the years.
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