It’s the 21st first century and we are living in a world of technology, and the education world is no different. The days where students sit at their desks with a pen and paper in hand, reading from the chalkboard and the teacher drumming information at them appear to be diminishing. With all the new technology in the world today, we have been introduced to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a great tool for learning but has technology gone too far?
ICT has been introduced into both primary and secondary schools in order to support and encourage learning as well as teaching. The ways in which ICT is being integrated into the classroom is increasingly stepping out of the box. Where before the main technologies being used were computers with simple programs. Now we are seeing tools like interactive whiteboards, voting systems, digital cameras, Nintendo Wii and high-speed internet access with online interactive learning programs where parents can get involved.
The use of technology in class seems to target the student’s interest. A study in Europe of the impact of ICT in education shows positive effects on student’s motivation, learning, teamwork and collaboration. In the study they find that 86% of teachers across Europe see an increase in motivation, and attention when computers and internet are used in class (Balanskat, A. Blamire, R, Kefala, S. 2006. p30 online). The studies show that teachers preferred not to look at the student’s actual attainment but rather the effects that using computers and internet have on behaviour, motivation, communication and processing skills and find a common theme in the positive effects it has in these areas,
“ ‘The children …are completely committed to doing that work, finishing
that task ... you can certainly see the motivation. They will all want to go on the computer and the work they produce is far superior, and not just in terms of presentation … they have more time to consider the consequences of what they are learning’ (Year 6 teacher and literacy co-ordinator, Westbrook Primary School)”
(Balanskat, A. Blamire, R, Kefala, S. 2006. p30 online)
The study then goes on to find that, “….multimedia and interactive content on interactive whiteboards is engaging and motivating, particularly for primary pupils, and that students pay more attention during lessons thanks to the stimulating nature of the presentation” (Balanskat, A. Blamire, R, Kefala, S. 2006. p30 online)
With such high motivation to be involved in the learning process, it would be assumed that the students would in turn see an improvement in academic results and abilities.
By integrating ICT into the classroom there is a dramatic change in how the students learn. Where previously the teacher would be feeding the students information, the teacher would now act as more of a guide to students. When students are using ICT, they may be more involved in independent learning as well as collaborating between students. This allows students to ask more questions and research answers therefore broadening the way they think.
Using ICT in classrooms does not only affect the students but the teachers as well. Jenkins discusses the significant changes in the teacher’s role:
"• Change in relationship with pupils
• Change in role to facilitators and managers who support learning
• Change in the content and scope of teaching
• Change locus of control, from teacher to learner"
(Jenkins, J.1999. p3 online)
For many teachers, in particular the older generation of teachers, this change may prove to be challenging for reasons such as personal pedagogical beliefs on teaching and the ‘art of teaching’, fear or inability to change the configuration of the class from ‘teacher teaching’ to ‘teacher guiding’, or may simply find it too difficult to learn and keep up with the new technologies. The European ICT Impact report tells us that, “Teachers’ poor ICT competence, low motivation and lack of
confidence in using new technologies in teaching are significant determinants of their levels of engagement in ICT. These are directly related to the quality and quantity of teacher training programmes.” (Balanskat, A. Blamire, R, Kefala, S. 2006. p5 online).Therefore it is crucial that in order to effectively integrate ICT into the classroom, teachers need to be well equipped with knowledge of the technology. Another barrier is limited access to ICT resources, be it due to poor funding or organisation or resources. The Australian Government has introduced a scheme called the Digital Education Revolution, which promotes the integration of ICT in the classroom by providing sufficient ICT resources (computers, programs, high speed internet access) to schools (years 9-12), as well as providing education and professional development courses to teachers. By giving teachers the knowledge, understanding and the resources to effectively use ICT into their education programs, they are then have a more positive outlook on the technology and are more like to do so.
In answer to the question I asked myself earlier, is technology taking over the classroom? My answer is no, I don’t believe it is taking over the classroom (yet). Teachers are still organising and providing a basis to support student’s learning. Teachers are using technology as a powerful tool and this integration of ICT in the classroom seems to be a positive step for learning. Looking at the clip “Robot Teachers Taking over the Classroom” is where technology begins to cross the line. Once the classroom loses the human element of teaching is where it will start to see issues as it will be a long time before technology will be able to provide the human qualities that constitutes great teaching.
Sources:
Jenkins, J. Teaching For Tomorrow. The Changing Role Of Teachers in the Connected Classroom. p.3(accessed 29/06/2010) from http://www.eden-online.org/papers/jenkins.pdf
Balanskat, A. Blamire, R, Kefala, S. 2006. p30. The ICT Impact Report.accessed 1/06/2010 from http://ec.europa.eu/education/pdf/doc254_en.pdf.
Video:Robot Teachers Taking Over the Classroom. (2010) video retrieved 26/06/2010 from http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=89874776
No comments:
Post a Comment