I have always believed that the best way to learn is when you aren't trying to learn anything. When using technology, such as, games and videos, students are more likely to be enveloped in the technology used compared to reading a lesson out of a book. Especially today, almost all children, of all ages, play some type of video game, whether it be on the computer or some other gaming console. When the children of this generation are told to read a book, it's almost like pulling teeth...you hear moaning and groaning as if it is the worst thing they could be doing right then.
Imagine telling a class that their homework for the night was to go home and play their video games for an hour or two, then to write three different strategies that they learn to use while playing. Students would probably be ecstatic, and they would complete their homework without a peep. This is one of the reasons that the Roger's innovation curve on page 26 in Transforming Learning with New Technologies surprised me.
I thought that there would be a much higher percentage of Frontier Developers/Innovators in the business and management department. Knowing the many different learning styles, you would think that more people would want to include technology as a visual and/or kinesthetic aid. The high percentage of individuals that chose to avoid the use of technology was also very alarming.
Another thing that pretty much blew my mind was the lack of teacher conviction to at least trying to include technology into their lessons. Maybe I am biased, but to me teaching is all about change. I believe that when a student progresses and their knowledge evolves, that is change; as society changes, we need to adapt; and as science and research shows, much of what we know is not actually correct and true, and that as we learn new facts of life, our education of these facts change.
As I continue to read this textbook, I hope to remember to repeatedly re-evaluate myself and my attitude toward technology, so that I never give up because of too much change.
Resources
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.
Sadker, David M. and Zittleman, Karen R. (2012). Teahcers, Schools, and Society. 10th Edition.
Resources
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.
Sadker, David M. and Zittleman, Karen R. (2012). Teahcers, Schools, and Society. 10th Edition.
Great ToonDoo and since you created it, you will want to include it as a cited Resource! :) You can imagine the great fun (and learning) that students have when asked to create a ToonDoo to document what they've learned. There really is true engagement and that leads to more active learning. It may be a bit chaotic for some to accept, but this kind of learning does pay off!
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know your attitudes about change are positive and expected. It is hard to understand those who don't easily accept change,but getting out of one's comfort zone is, well, is not comfortable. It is especially difficult for teachers who have to 'unlearn' what they've known for so many years and 'relearn' the how tos of technology, for example. When you think about it, The Innovation curve is pretty 'spot on'....and likely reflected even in this class.
The ToonDoo was very fun to make. I enjoyed creating it, and I will be sure to cite my own work as well. Thank you :)
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