February 28, 2013
This
article was really looking at middle and high school aged students in the
classroom, but there were many things that could apply to our fifth
graders. The resources in our building
are better than most in LPS but it still limits our access to technology and
when kids finally have full access to the technology will change the way we can
do many things. I still wonder how schools handle no internet outside of school
for students when they require this for assignment completion.
Notes
as I read…
Doing research, word processing, or assignments at home is a
challenge…not everyone has access to the internet or even computer access at
home. How do you even that playing field? How can you make assignments that are
not available to all kids?
During our science fair the kids benefit so much from using
search engines to ask the question. Often times it is difficult for the kids to
even know what scientific concept they need to look up. By asking and reading
they can then probe more into the scientific research of particular topics.
I find myself using the internet all of the time to find
Kahoots! , powerpoints, movie clips, literature units, or lesson plan ideas to
teach concepts or units. It is invaluable. I know that has enhanced the
teaching and changed the way I do many things since beginning to teach 29 years
ago. It is nice to find a developed unit and then to adapt it to exactly what I
need to teach.
Here is a great example of integration to enhance learning. At
LSE one of the Spanish teachers (My son’s teacher) has reached out to her students and allowed
them to instagram her pictures and use Spanish to write about what the picture
is showing. They can earn class “speaking points” instead of only speaking
aloud in class. She had to get an instagram account, which was out of her
comfort zone, but she is amazed how much she hears from her students! It has
been a great tool and a wonderful way to reach out to incorporate technology
and in a manner the kids are very familiar with in their own lives. She also has learned so much about her
students beyond the classroom and has been able to have authentic conversations
about what they are doing.
So much of this article discusses smartphone use in the
classroom but they are really talking about middle and high school age kids. I
have only 9/23 kids in my class that have smartphones so that is not something
I would have considered using. Maybe I need to rethink and allow some to
use that as a tool for research?
I agree with you that at this point we are unable to assign work that would require students to have and use a computer at home. I know I have a number of kids that wouldn't be able to complete the work. I think middle and high school students should be captializing (and I think some do) on the fact that a large number of students in their class have smart phones. I know my daughters have played Kahoot in class on their phones. Kids that don't have a smart phone usually just partner up. I love that your son's teacher at LSE is using Instagram with her Spanish students. A clever idea to reach the kids in their comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I understand your concern that some of your students do not have Internet in their homes, but I challenge you to not rule out computer work. The most recent Leichtman Research Group survey found that 83% of households get an Internet service at home, and 55% of adults access the Internet on a Smartphone. While the percentage of households getting Internet service at home is similar to last year, those accessing the Internet on a Smartphone increased from 44% last year (http://www.leichtmanresearch.com/press/092613release.html). Check out the census report for some specifics: http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-569.pdf
ReplyDeleteSome elementary teachers make modifications and require students to go to the computer lab at school before school starts to do their homework. You may be onto a great idea of having students use the 6 cell phones in your class and working in groups to do internet work. Keep thinking broadly!