Advantages of Integrating Technology
With regards to social studies, I have had some difficulty finding apps or programs that relate specifically to history. Free geography programs abound (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 336), but the apps I find mostly create timelines--which, while helpful, can only be used so much. That said, my Wiki experience has opened some pathways to integrating technology in the classroom in the form of interactive assignments and widgets.This web article lists some very interesting workshop activities for students learning social sciences. I am particularly interested in screen casting for flipped classrooms. Another activity that coincides with the textbook includes digital storytelling--Roblyer and Doering (2012) lists digital storytelling as helping in teaching students to compare and contrast, reinforcing abstract concepts, and in fostering analysis and critical thinking skills (p. 340).
In terms of advantages, I believe that technology aids pedagogy in the following ways:
- Organization (apps such as EverNote, WorkFlowy, and Google Docs are excellent for collaboration and note-taking)
- Abstract concepts--timelines are especially helpful in terms of historical significance and flow
- Collaboration--as listed above, students have access to technology that allows them to work on projects while physically separate. This video explains how wikis can be used practically for collaboration:
- Research (I have long been a fan of JSTOR for credible primary and secondary sources)
Disadvantages of Integrating Technology
Disadvantages in classroom use of technology are more broad than subject-specific. The long list of technology issues span from the social to the cultural and ethical. In terms of social issues, the biggest in my mind involves sexting ("sending explicit photos or text messages on cell phones or through the Internet" (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 16)) and cyberbullying ("online harassment in social networks" (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 16)). One does not need to look very hard to find cases of suicide related to cyberbullying and legal ramifications of sexting/distribution of embarrassing sexual photos.Financially, funding for one-to-one computing and technology upkeep can pose a problem to most schools (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 17). Thankfully, many apps such as EverNote has free versions or trials. Wikispaces provide free websites for teachers (specifically for education purposes). However, many "high-quality resources," apps, and programs cost a pretty penny--requiring teachers to debate the usefulness of that resource for their classroom (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 336). This site lists one example of a disadvantage that I have often come across--compatibility issues. Some computers use older versions of word processors or presentation software that inhibits their intended use. Hell hath no fury like me downloading word documents from Canvas on my work computer. Simply put, it is a futile exercise.
The following is a short (and a bit dated) video outlining the disadvantages of technology in the classroom:
It includes teachers not being prepared to use the technology, the dangers of the Internet in terms of inappropriate material, and ineffective software.
Specific Activities, Programs, Etc.
Virtual Field Trips (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 339)
- Inexpensive
- "Unlimited number of students"
- Ability to travel beyond immediate community
- "Opportunity to construct knowledge actively through interacting with historic places, experts, and artifacts"
Digital Storytelling (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 340)
- Aids in "comparing and contrasting the past and the present"
- "Provides visual cues that reinforce geographical concepts"
- Helps explain abstract concepts
- "Fosters skills in analysis and critical thinking"
- "Personalizes" students with social studies
Electronic Research (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 341)
- Easily accessible
- Up-to-date information
- Ability to "analyze information in both graphic and text forms"
- Need to teach students how to research credible sources
Note Taking
(Not listed in text specifically, but critical to me)
Text Reference
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
You mentioned a lot of noteworthy ideas on how you would integrate technology into your classroom. Robles & Doering ( 2013) stated , "technologies change faster than teachers can keep up"(p.10). Do you think that with technology increasing/improving daily , will teachers still have time to learn the software themselves and successfully teach their students? Would you have ample time to teach yourself before presenting it to your students?
ReplyDeleteThat's a valid point...I may just have to learn what I can and go from there. Maybe the summer time can be 'bone up on technology' season. I hope to learn enough to get me started in this class. I for one am fond of the wiki, not so much the Zoho.
DeleteI like that, in your activities, you mentioned Virtual Field Trips. If a student were told they would be going on a virtual field trip, they would definitely pay attention so they would know where they were going. It brings to life so much that may not be possible to see anymore. Roblyer and Doering (2012) stated, “Teachers need to prepare students in class before the trip, especially though the use of materials from the field trip site, such as relevant primary document or artifacts” (p.339). With that being said, do you have an idea of some good topics or events that would make good virtual field trips?
ReplyDeleteRoblyer & Doering (2012) state that maintaining the necessary content knowledge, updating the required technological knowledge, and fusing the pedagogical knowledge for integrating technology into the study of social sciences is pertinent (p. 347). How would you encourage your administrator(s) to give you a "license to fail"?
ReplyDelete