Week 30 - Contemporary Trends in New Zealand or International
Step 1 (What):
My blog week 29 I said I was old school in my way of online approach and now with week 30s topic of
‘Trends’ I believe old school plays an important part in this too. Digital technology is everywhere, whether
it is in our classrooms, homes, work, lifestyles etc, it is part of our everyday lives. We cannot avoid it and
our tamariki don’t want to stop using it. It is the way forward.
‘Trends’ I believe old school plays an important part in this too. Digital technology is everywhere, whether
it is in our classrooms, homes, work, lifestyles etc, it is part of our everyday lives. We cannot avoid it and
our tamariki don’t want to stop using it. It is the way forward.
So what impact of digital learning affects me and my practices? Writer and radio producer
Adizah Eghan (2016) says that a toddler who is read to and has conversations everyday learns around
21,000 words a day. This would be the same for our young learners using digital devices at an early age
and how confident they become being able to navigate the use of the devices as well as programmes and
apps. I am all for practice to improve the use of a device, but what I am seeing more and more of is devices
being used to fill in time, manage time out or only used for apps.
Adizah Eghan (2016) says that a toddler who is read to and has conversations everyday learns around
21,000 words a day. This would be the same for our young learners using digital devices at an early age
and how confident they become being able to navigate the use of the devices as well as programmes and
apps. I am all for practice to improve the use of a device, but what I am seeing more and more of is devices
being used to fill in time, manage time out or only used for apps.
Step 2 (So What):
An article written by David Neild (2015) for The Guardian asks the question: Is technology in the classroom
good for our children? The article identifies the drop of maths results, handwriting ability and short attention
spans since the introduction of digital technology in the classroom. I have seen this too with my own research
of introducing ChromeBooks in my classroom. Like I said before I’m a little old school, which I believe there is
nothing wrong with that, however, I also know the importance of allowing my learners to explore with
technology, for the world they are going to face when they leave school will be a digital one. Slowly pen and
paper are becoming obsolete in the classrooms because ChromeBooks, laptops and computers are taking its
place. In this case the devices are not the problem, it’s the balance between handwriting (or print) and typing
and the importance of knowing how to do both, not one or the other.
good for our children? The article identifies the drop of maths results, handwriting ability and short attention
spans since the introduction of digital technology in the classroom. I have seen this too with my own research
of introducing ChromeBooks in my classroom. Like I said before I’m a little old school, which I believe there is
nothing wrong with that, however, I also know the importance of allowing my learners to explore with
technology, for the world they are going to face when they leave school will be a digital one. Slowly pen and
paper are becoming obsolete in the classrooms because ChromeBooks, laptops and computers are taking its
place. In this case the devices are not the problem, it’s the balance between handwriting (or print) and typing
and the importance of knowing how to do both, not one or the other.
Step 3 (Now What):
Everyone will have their own opinions of what is more useful to teach and learn. Yes, we need to keep up
with the new trends that are happening outside and even inside our school walls, but we also must not lose
the skills that our learners must also have when technology cannot be used. Face to face learning is just as
important where connections are still being made between learner and teacher, also between staff and not
just through email or text.
with the new trends that are happening outside and even inside our school walls, but we also must not lose
the skills that our learners must also have when technology cannot be used. Face to face learning is just as
important where connections are still being made between learner and teacher, also between staff and not
just through email or text.
We know digital technology is quick and for some convenient but it might not be the most efficient way in
all communities. Not only do we have to use digital technology in schools where children are finding the
balance between online and traditional work, we also have to create opportunities for whanau and family
to keep up with the changes of society.
all communities. Not only do we have to use digital technology in schools where children are finding the
balance between online and traditional work, we also have to create opportunities for whanau and family
to keep up with the changes of society.
References
Daggett, B. (2014). Addressing Current and Future Challenges in Education. Retrieved from
http://www.leadered.com/pdf/2014MSC_AddressingCurrentandFutureChallenges.pdf
http://www.leadered.com/pdf/2014MSC_AddressingCurrentandFutureChallenges.pdf
Eghan, A. (2016). Bridge the word gap: speak 21,000 words to your preschooler daily. Retrieved from
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/word-gap-speak-more-words-to-your-preschooler-daily/
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/word-gap-speak-more-words-to-your-preschooler-daily/
Nield, D. (2015). Is technology in the classroom good for children? The Guardian. Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/dec/24/is-technology-in-the-classroom
-good-for-children
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/dec/24/is-technology-in-the-classroom
-good-for-children
Ndou, D. (2016). Parents should prioritise digital skills for kids. The Herald. Retrieved from
https://www.herald.co.zw/parents-should-prioritise-digital-skills-for-kids/
https://www.herald.co.zw/parents-should-prioritise-digital-skills-for-kids/
Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., Jasper, M. (2001) Critical reflection in nursing and the helping professions: a user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/media/MyCumbria/Documents/ReflectiveModelRolfe.pdf
I absolutely agree with your comments and I also believe the fact that being old school is not is not so bad. We have a foot in both camps and we can see the benefits of writing and using a pen. What happens when the power goes out? We cannot lose our traditional ways too. Malcolm Gladwell in his book the Tipping Point(2000) talks of trends and how they become viral but also explores what happens when we dont have the substance behind the trend and this is what we must manage with devices apps and our digital natives today. I think it is a time in our transition from analogue to digital that we still have the old ways that are important to teach our tamariki. I do think we are on a slow transition into an entirely digital world though but I hope not in my lifetime.
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ReplyDeleteHi Ange,
ReplyDeleteI too have my concerns on the impact of Technology on our young Tamariki. While digital tools have enormous pedagogical potential that the capacity to solve 21st Century problems will not be achieved by simply adding technology affordances to the classroom. Warschauer (2007) states that we live in paradoxical times in which information literacy still depends on a large extent on print literacy. He asserts that “competence in traditional literacies is often the gateway to successful entry into the world of new literacies”
The OECD (2006) found that, while more experience with computer use is valuable, more frequent use does not necessarily lead to better performance on standardised assessment tasks. The 2003 PISA study into computer use found that moderate users performed better than students who were not using computers, using them rarely and using computers very often.
There are some concerns about the detrimental impact on health and well-being of sustained use of computer technology, particularly for younger learners too (e.g. Straker et al. 2005). These concerns relate to physical issues (such as posture and eyesight); health concerns (such as physical fitness and obesity) and social issues (social isolation or addiction). We can’t “uninvent” new technologies, but we can think about using them in ways which promote physical and mental well-being and ensure we are using them responsibly.
One Primary school is now turning off the wifi for BYOD during lunchtimes to try to encourage more of their senior students to go out and play.
I also support you view on teacher-student relationships being crucial, as “John Hattie’s meta-analysis describes in Visible Learning list teachers-student relationships as among the most effective influences on student achievement-even more so than professional development, teaching strategies, or socioeconomic status.” Daggett(2004)
Jane Wooster
I think you've got some good points about how ensuring those old school skills aren't being lost. Those skills are still important for 21st Century learners. We have to teach our kids how to interact face to face, so they have empathy for others. Your post here links well to your previous post I commented on on social media. Technology is great, but those previous life skills need to be taught alongside. Great post Ange! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the posts.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to get lost in the new and forget about the old, but it only takes one power cut to bring it all back.
One thing that frustrates me in my class of Year 3 and 4 is their spelling. So I am clear with my instructions, I have to say to my learners that we are writing, which is different to texting. Saying 'writing' according to my learners, tells them I expect them to spell out words in full...I didn't think I would have to explain that one. I just find it amazing that they can remember how to spell text words very quickly but take longer to learn words in full.
Jane, we don't have BYOD at our school, but during wet play and lunch I have stopped my kids from using the devices and pulling out board and card games for them to interact with each other.
I totally agree too Lauren, about upholding and integrating old school skills into today's education systems. Having spoken about old school skills, it is what students need to learn alongside modern technology so that they can use them when going up to high school and in workforce when leaving school. It is also vital to maintain all these skills especially with problem solving and thinking.
ReplyDeleteHi Ange
ReplyDeleteI only really started looking at the effects of digital technology in classrooms when I started with Mindlab this year, and saw the enormous effect that digital has on all our lives, from early childhood way into adulthood. We basically cannot exist without technology. I am so pleased that there are so many platforms to research so that we do not become addicted to technology, and therefore have no purpose. In my Mindlab journey I am consciously making an effort to make the technology an essential part of the learning in. I want to use it so that it is a tool that is used for communication, further knowledge, and discuss how it aids our lives. We see the use of technology when it changes the lives of people in the medical field, example, prosthetics, restoration of sight etc. Children have to learn that using the technology should be used to enhance life and the environment.
At the same time we have to strike that very fine balance where we still still have to physically communicate with each other and show empathy.