But as I kept on thinking, I came to know that there are so many ways I could slip it in unnoticed--such as during workstations when my students are working 1:1 and doing independent work. Instead of practicing handling money in the same format, why not practice online banking through an iPad app? Instead of using just the emergent literacy books that our principal wants us to use, why not supplement the reading work with a Dolch flashcard game app on the iPad? Why not head over to the class next door and do a collaborate sensory lesson on the SmartBoard? As I slowly started to incorporate more technology into my everyday routines, I saw some of my students' affect and motivation change. Incorporating technology wasn't just mixing things up for them--it was making it more engaging and (DARE I SAY IT?!) more motivating!
It was interesting to note that the use of technology is definitely more effective at a 1:1 or small group level; when I have broken out all of the iPads for a group lesson on the geographical features of an island ("Let's all find a beach!") I noticed that some of my students were Google Mapping StuyTown instead of the Dominican Republic. But this type of reflection is so important for we teachers because we need to figure out what works for our students and what doesn't so we can weed out the bad and focus on the good. Our kids aren't always intrinsically motivated, they don't always want to do what we ask them to do, and they don't always understand what we ask them to do. But technology can be such a universal bridge for all of our kids to come together and become engaged and motivated and communicative--and it all starts with knowing our kids and how we can access that. Technology is one great way to do it, and I've seen it.
No comments:
Post a Comment