wednesday
as the class discussed the differences between the activity. i thought to myself how it seems cut and dry with what level it was. others viewed in different ways and built the activity around what was said. i viewed it as just the activity and tina made the comment as well about we have no idea how the whole unit was built or explained to the students, what resources were giving, what background was discussed. gerry also pointed out that it could be a mindtool 'depending on'... opinions were given but arguments could be made in several different areas of the discussion. jerry also pointed out the training element which i thought was extremely important.. you can not consistently do the projects with the tool unless the foundation is laid on how to use the tool.
many times when i was teaching middle school....many moons ago... i could create a design brief and describe the unit and how i wanted it done, introduce the technology with the basics and let the students go to it. they taught me several features that i didnt know just be them fiddling with it to complete the brief. the majority of teachers do not accept that the students know more than them and refuse to introduce technology because of the simple fact that the students do know more than them and they the faculty are not the expert. they feel they lose credibility.
Comments
I think the issue you raise concerning teachers' comfort with knowing less about technology than their students is one of the barriers to technology integration. that is, those teachers who are more comfortable being a life-long learners along with their students seem to be more successful/interested in engaging in technology integration.
Posted by: Joan | July 13, 2006 9:45 AM