Inside-the-Classroom Instructional Tools
Technology-Based Learning Environment
With the worlds rapid innovation of technological advancements, we have more children growing up learning how to perfectly function electronics. Since the late 90's, children have grown up in a world where electronics are habitual parts of their lives. This describes the iGeneration, according to Maloy, et al (2013, p. 3). Since I was born in 1998, I belong to this subculture of technology users, and I can understand what electronics mean to one born in this span of time. I believe this influx of technology into our society is a game-changer in the field of education. Another great explanation of the iGeneration can be found in this article, titled Welcome to the iGeneration, which maps out where it falls in time and exhibits data and graphs as to how this subculture is using technology. Something that I would like to be able to utilize with this generation of children is to incorporate some of the technology that they would use on a daily basis, like phones or tablets.
As stated previously, I would like to integrate technology that my students would commonly use during my class hours. Use of technology during school hours is specifically designated as inside-the-classroom instructional tools (Maloy, et al, 2013, p. 7). While I believe it is vital for teachers in a high school environment to include and provide technological features such as PowerPoint presentations and individual internet time for students, I also believe that students should be able to use technology they are already comfortable with. One activity that my professor provided at Florida SouthWestern State College was an interactive poll website called Poll Everywhere that worked like a clicker-question game. Students could either access the website with a laptop or tablet, or they could text a number and send their answer choices through their smartphones. This activity could be used to find out how well students are understanding the material, or even as a way to check for attendance. Accordingly, I believe that cellphone usage during class times should be embraced, as long as it does not become a hindrance.
While utilizing technology during school hours is important to education, using it outside of school is just as significant. Creating a technology-based learning environment could expand a student's understanding by providing technological resources after school hours, and this concept is explained by Maloy, et al (2013, p. 8). Unfortunately, not every student is willing to give up their video game playing, television watching, and hanging out with friends hours to do extra homework. However, I still believe it is necessary for an educator to provide a supplementary learning environment for students at home, which is a viewpoint I share with ExpandED Schools in the video below this paragraph. In my high school, I remember being sick for one of my higher level history courses, which was one of my worst subjects. I asked my sister (who, being my twin, is in the same grade) could ask the teacher if it would be possible to record the lesson, since what the teacher teaches does not always match up with the textbook. He apologetically said no. Because of this, and because I am able to compare what my high school teachers provided for after hours to what my professors in college have provided, I understand how necessary it is to supply extraneous technological tools for outside of the classroom. I especially want to be able to set up my own website to where my future high school students can access PowerPoints, podcasts, and assignments.
To conclude, I would like to say that I am excited to teach in the 21st century. Technology has become such a powerful tool, and to be able to utilize it in education is a huge privilege. It will be a challenge to use technology in an educating career to its full extent, but hopefully this class will assist in making that challenge manageable.
Resources
ExpandED Schools. (2012, February 1). Digital Learning Beyond School. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUyxDi_Ppi0
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Rosen, L. (2010, March 27). Welcome to the iGeneration. Retrieved January 22, 2016, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewired-the-psychology-technology/201003/welcome-the-igeneration
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