The article "Unleashing the Future: Educators 'Speak Up' about the use of Emerging Technologies for Learning", reflects on national findings from teachers, administrators, and aspiring teachers. Project tomorrow compiled data and focused on the following types of learning experiences in the classroom: social-based learning, un-tethered learning, and digitally rich learning opportunities. The area I focused on was social learning. The purpose of social-based learning is for students to gain knowledge through the use of technology to communicate and/or collaborate with peers and teachers. Social-based learning is popular because it appeals to large populations in a matter of seconds. Examples include: Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, blogs, and so on. However, teachers still are more likely to communicate with peers. The article does point out a few other drawbacks of social learning (e.g., filters, limited computers, slow internet access.)
I agree with the article’s reservations about how teachers will use social-based learning. It sounds good in theory, but there are many factors that need to be considered. It might be difficult to access or reinforce the lessons if students are supposed to complete coursework in their house. Another factor in social-based learning could be ethics. Students could use each other’s login information to complete assignments. Looking at social-based learning at the teacher’s perspective, it might an inconvenience for teachers to upload and/or create lesson plans online. Teachers spend a tremendous amount time prepping as it is. This could potentially create twice the work. In the speech-language profession I would use social learning to communicate with parents useful about techniques they can apply, provide handouts or information regarding upcoming events. Another possibility I could use social-based learning is through Telepractice. It is a new way of providing online speech therapy. The speech-language pathologist and student have live face-to-face interaction via the internet. Telepractice has a potential of being a successful way of therapy in a highly structured environment with motivated students.
Speak Up. (2009). Unleashing the Future: Educators "Speak Up" about the use of Emerging Technologies for Learning. Retrieved September 12th, 2011 from www.tomorrow.org/speakup/pdfs/SU09UnleashingTheFuture.pdf.
Renece,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it might be an inconvenience for the teachers when they have to upload or create lesson plans. The positive thing about posting assignments online is if everything can't be covered in class students have access to all the information outside of class to finish the work. I can also understand how social based learning can cause problems with students. Things life Facebook, Myspace, and twitter can be wonderful ways to learn social skills but it also can pose for cyber bulling.
Face- to-face interaction for speech language pathologist sounds like it has bug potential!
Hi Renece,
ReplyDeleteSince I know you have experience already in the classroom, I value your opinions. I really hadn't even thought of the extra time it may take to upload lesson plans. I guess there are probably a lot of drawbacks that we don't think of. But there are certainly a lot of things to be gained as well.
Students are going to use technology whether schools promote it or not, and in my opinion it would be better if schools would utilize it. That way we would be making sure kids know how to use it safely and be able to recognize when they or a friend may be in potential danger. Right now I think a lot of kids are using technology blindly and educators could work as guides to help students succeed in and master digital media. This I believe is crucial because I think technology is the future of our country and everyone should be comfortable with it and knowledgeable about it.