technology

In this assignment we were to choose to articles to write on, and I chose “10 Ways to Get Beyond PowerPoint with Classroom Projectors” and “The Pros and Cons of Texting and IM.” I went into the assignment with one question in mind and that was “Why should or why shouldn’t we use these different pieces of technology?” I feel that while there are always pros and cons to any tool we use, we need to figure out if it is the most effective way to do the job; for instance, while using and laptop to do free hand sketch for art is very possible, isn’t it actually more effective and less restrictive artistically just to use a paper medium? This was the mindset I had while I was reading these articles.




First I am going to discuss “10 Ways to Get Beyond PowerPoint with Classroom Projectors.” At the very beginning of the article it said, “True tech integrators know the digital projector can be used for much more than projecting.” I found this amusing, because when I think of a true tech, I think of a lonely guy who modifies every piece of a computer he can in his mother’s basement while playing online RPGs. Can you see how this quote is ambiguous, the author intended for us to think about tech-savvy teachers by saying “true-tech,” but just because someone knows tech, doesn’t mean they will use it constructively in the classroom. I just found this amusing. When the author started to discuss the uses of the projector I saw some things that I thought could be useful, and some that I think would get the way.



In the article, the idea is brought up for using the projector in many different core subjects. It suggests using it in writing as a way to display writing prompts for the class, as well as using it in replacement of flash cards. I believe this could be really helpful in saving time and engaging the student’s interest. It also talked about using it in science to organize data finding during experiments, which I find very interesting, because it makes the classroom more connected and gives it a more academic setting. I believe that this could open up room for students to have discussion over the similarities and differences in their findings, while teaching them how to be organized and orderly at the same time. One thing it did not suggest that I believe could be useful in the classroom, would be to use the projector for global discussion. The teacher could arrange one time a week with a teacher from another nation, to have a video chat between the two classrooms. It could be used in social studies to discuss global issues.



While I am now an advocate of progressing the use of projectors in the classroom, I did feel that a few of the suggestions could end up doing more harm or be less efficient in a classroom setting. It suggested using it for guest lectures, such as pre-recorded video lectures, or use it as a substitute for the teacher, but the only problem with that could be that the students could not be involved. They cannot become a part of the discussion, and if confused no one would be there to answer their questions. It suggested using a document projector to display whiteboard answers instead of making kids write at the board. It would prevent stage fright, but I believe that children miss out on an important part of the exercise. The learn how to handle themselves in front of groups of people which is an important lesson we learn in schools. I believe that if used effectively the projector could be very useful in the classroom.



The second article “I read was The Pros and Cons of Texting and IM.” It had a lot to say on the negative outcomes of letting young people carry cell phones. It discussed how it is getting harder and harder for parent to let their children leave home without one, as well. I find this discussion hard to make a decision on, because while they are very effective at helping us protect our children, it is showing to be very detrimental to the classroom.



Many parents would argue that their kids aren’t using cell phones incorrectly, and that they are needed in order to keep in contact, but I believe the world functioned rather fine before cell phones particularly instant messaging. The article talked about a survey in Britain that concluded that those kids who text and abbreviate, are actually better spellers and writers than those without, but is the difference significant enough to keep them around, I don’t think so. The was said in the article that children are using text messaging for cheating. This maybe true, but I think the harm lies beyond tests. I remember whenever I was in high school and hardly anyone paid attention to the teachers because of text messaging. They would text one another instead of talking to each other at lunch. How bizarre is that? We may see some sort of growth in written language as we text, but I believe that people have already began to forget how to communicate verbally, and this is making it worse. I began to think that people in the business world should just accept written shorthand texting language, but if they let that happen we will degenerate when it comes to interpersonal communication verbally.



In conclusion, while technology can do a lot for human beings in and out of the classroom, I feel like we have to tread a fine line when adapting it to the classroom. While it is helpful, it can lead to laziness or loss of concentration which is not good in a classroom. We need to allow this technology to be integrated, but we need to take the responsibility of controlling the adverse effects that come along with it.