Recently I had to do a project for a class that focused on finding great applications for tablets to use in the classroom. At first I just thought this was a fun and quick assignment that would better prepare me for ways to spend my money when I have a classroom of my own. As I was sifting through hundreds of colorful and silly ways to teach reading, spelling, math and so on, I began to really think about the implications of technology on today's kids. When I was in school, the most we had access to technology in elementary school was for a half an hour and it was used recreationaly (think roaring adventures on the Oregon Trail!) In a world that is becoming more and more focused on the need to center learning around the unique individual, what are these apps really doing? At times, I have seen them in the classroom as almost a hindrance. Some kids behave only to get a hold of one and see them mostly as video games. When students have so much technology surrounding them in everyday life, do they really need even more "learning" games and devices in the classroom? Is this a cop out for teachers, something to occupy the kids while were busy? Do we really think they work? My head is filled with questions. I am sure that once I have a classroom of my own, I will have a clearer understanding of their value and the relationship that my students create through them. Until then, I am on the fence!
I wanted to mention that I spent TONS of time searching the effects of apps in the classroom and came up with lots of good and lots of bad supporting arguments. Here are two links to show the contrasting opinions:
https://www.esparklearning.com/project/educational-ipad-apps-student-achievement-gains/
http://usingtabletsintheclassroom.weebly.com/negative-impacts.html
When it comes to children and technology I am also on the fence about it. I think in todays society it is a natural thing to just hand your kid a tablet or phone and let them entertain themselves. In some instincts this works because it gives them some independent time to learn on their own but do they really learn anything. A couple of things that I think should be considered is the time the tablets would take up in the classroom, the attention levels of the children, and the time taken away from interaction with teachers and other students.
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