The Teacher Panel was very interesting for me. One of the things that really caught my interest was when the question of how much technology should be allowed in the classrooms was brought up. I am all for using and integrating new technology as much as is helpful when it comes to teaching, but I was really, really surprised when one of the teachers said that every kid in his classroom had their own laptop. From my own personal experience, having my own laptop is extremely convenient, and it is a great resource. However, I am a college student, not an elementary student. I find the fact that each student has their own computer in an elementary/middle school setting, kind of disturbing. From what the teachers said, every spare minute of time that the kids get, they are glued to their computer, playing games, on the internet or on Facebook.
When I heard all of this, I kind of related it back to our discussion on development last week. In my personal opinion, I feel that elementary and middle school kids should not have their own laptop computers. It is just not developmentally appropriate at that age. It seems to me that it takes away from their hands-on learning activities, and their ability to learn some basic skills like calculating math problems, problem solving and imagining, and establishing a good use of vocabulary. These are things that we can't afford to lose in education. I feel especially strong about this coming from a future art teacher's point of view. Creating art is an extremely imaginative, hands-on, original process. This cannot be done on a computer. Sure there are computer programs that can assist kids in learning about how to make art, and in making graphic design pieces, but they are still just that, computer programs. I feel that these days kids are being rushed to grow up and be tech savy. In this we are taking the simple pleasures like developing imagination, playing outside, and reading books away from them. I see this as very unfair because these kids don't even know what they are missing because they have never experienced childhood as anything different. I think that part of our responsibilities as teachers is to make sure that these kids still get to be kids while they are young.
I agree completely with this. I feel like students need to have more hands on activities. The more the students use the computers, the more they are not using their imagination and creating views on their own. The computer is giving them all of the views that they are not thinking of. I also feel like the students need to live their childhood. They do not need to be using all of this technology at such a young age. They need to play outside and play with their friends. I also see the other side! Technology is very useful and can help students become more knowledgeable faster! By using computers, students can become more technologically skilled and learn more than if they did not have one. I am leaning more towards not having each student have a computer in their hands all of the time though. There needs to be more times where they do not have their computers with them and have them use their minds instead of the computers technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree! From a physical education point, and trying to emphasize the point that being physically fit is very important to you as a person and for life long health, its hard to comprehend that students are using their free time on a computer and on Facebook. I think that they should be playing and interacting with other students.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. Although technology is a very good thing for our students, we need to emphasize physical activity just as much. Students these days are so into what is on the computer, they need to get outside and play. Also through physical activity they grow socially which is another spot that we need our students to improve in. When they are talking to others they will grow socially, but sitting in front of the computer screen will not do this! We need to emphasize physical activity and involving the students socially in our schools.
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