Source- http://learningworksforkids.com/m2/parents/m2p_ts_flexibility.html
Athletes know they must stretch to prevent injury and
discomfort. Being flexible allows them
to move and change directions quickly as well as stretch into some unusual
positions. The same could be said of what our students
will need for the future, flexibility. I
agree with our text that technology is moving and changing so fast there is no
way to instruct them on the specific programs or hardware they will need as
adults. It is more important to teach
them how to be flexible in order to learn the technologies and how to apply
them as fast as they come out. Check our some examples of flexible thinking through technology. For
students coming out of school today, technology is not an option. Even students not going on to college will
face technology in their jobs. We have
been skiing this winter and at both ski areas the person monitoring and
checking tickets at the lifts was using a device to scan tickets and enter data.
Being flexible is not always strength for teachers. Many of us have been in the same position for
several years and choosing a grade level or subject we like means we don’t have
to stretch and be flexible. If you happen
to enjoy technology, integrating it seems natural. If you don’t like technology
it can be painful. We wouldn’t expect
the math teacher to take over the band class unless there was some training,
and even then it might not work out without a lot of support if there is not
some affinity for the subject. Jen’sBlog and her swimming illustration really hit home. My question is when does the teacher have to
take some responsibility for being flexible and using some of these tools?
I have seen John Jake’s idea of “Making It Stick” with colleagues
at my school. If it isn’t supported,
easy to use and improve education and learning, it’s a hard sell. There are a few “techies” who like messing
around with things to find out how to use and apply them, but for everyone else,
his principles really apply.
On a personal classroom note, I have started blogging with
my second graders this year. We are
using Kidblog which was easy to set up and easy for the kids to use. Our writing curriculum includes many kinds of
writing such as poetry, directions, fiction, and nonfiction. Blogging is another genre of writing to be
taught. The fact that it can be used
with any of our other subjects is a bonus.
I Love EdTech has a
great list of blog topics.
Your comments about getting teachers on board using digital technology in the classroom are spot on! I too have been reluctant to do so. It hasn’t been because I can’t do it, or that I don’t know how, or even that I don’t want to, unfortunately I think it’s because I’ve been lazy. Yes, I’ve used the word we are never to use when describing students but the adjective does fit. Teachers need the same kind of supports we provide our students when learning new tasks – lots of modeling, assistance as they try it on their own, and then independence – the gradual release of responsibility. I’m so impressed, Cherie, that you are blogging with 2nd grade students. It gives me inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI think you hit the nail on the head with your posting. It is really scary sometimes to try new things if you think what you have always done is working fine. Also, going out on a limb and trying new things is also a problem if there is not a lot of support behind you. Sometimes technology is thrown in schools but there is little professional development provided for the teacher. Some teachers feel very comfortable diving in and trying new things, but if we want "all" of our teachers to be integrating technology in their classes, we must be very sensitive to their needs. Normally it is heard as "just one more thing". So hopefully you will learn some new ways to integrate technology with your students and I am excited to hear you are using blogging with your kiddos!
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