My current placement is well equipped with state-of-the-art technology, but that does not mean that all teachers can be seen masterfully commandeering each one of these tech-tools. I sense enough tech-frustration as it is from other teachers just by walking into the workroom as I wait in line to use the colossally over-sized printers and Xerox machines (not that I am not grateful for them). If most teachers feel that the learning curve for those state-of-the-art printers is fairly large, I am certain that there is also a large number of teachers at my placement who are feeling pressured and overwhelmed by the looming presence of the Promethean Board and the projector, the Docucam, the Synergy and Learning Point network, and the computer lab. The World Languages Department has its own computer lab, and each language teacher is expected to use the lab once a week on their assigned day. Several of the teachers find that they do not know how to use the language lab very effectively, and they are eager to receive further training. The language lab is mainly used for interactive group listening and speaking activities as well as for Rosetta Stone (a software that students could easily access from their handheld devices within the walls of their own classroom). For now, the language lab is merely substituting the technology that could otherwise be readily accessible on the handheld devices stowed away in the students’ backpacks back in the classroom.
In terms of the tools in my classroom, the Promethean Board is normally used to show videos, give presentations, keep a record of the daily agenda, and display the desktop on the Promethean Board and interact with it. The Docucam is used to display worksheets onto the Promethean as well as convert them into interactive activities or display text from a book during classroom read aloud sessions (the teacher follows the text with a pen so students can follow along). Synergy is primarily used to take attendance, for grade-book management, and to share files within a department. Student records are also accessible within Synergy. I have also seen my teacher keep notes of specific students through Synergy, and the students’ parents have immediate access to whatever the teacher writes in those notes.
As for my students, while nearly every single pupil has a technological device in hand, they do not seem to use it outside of their trendy social apps, Facebook, Snap Chat, text messaging, and music. As for their idea of research, info is merely a “Google” click away.
As the world around us moves forward with technology, students expect teachers to show them how to be effective digital citizens, and while our classrooms our filled with tech tools, we eagerly await to access them in ways that not only enhance learning in the classroom, but completely redefine the educational experience.
In terms of the tools in my classroom, the Promethean Board is normally used to show videos, give presentations, keep a record of the daily agenda, and display the desktop on the Promethean Board and interact with it. The Docucam is used to display worksheets onto the Promethean as well as convert them into interactive activities or display text from a book during classroom read aloud sessions (the teacher follows the text with a pen so students can follow along). Synergy is primarily used to take attendance, for grade-book management, and to share files within a department. Student records are also accessible within Synergy. I have also seen my teacher keep notes of specific students through Synergy, and the students’ parents have immediate access to whatever the teacher writes in those notes.
As for my students, while nearly every single pupil has a technological device in hand, they do not seem to use it outside of their trendy social apps, Facebook, Snap Chat, text messaging, and music. As for their idea of research, info is merely a “Google” click away.
As the world around us moves forward with technology, students expect teachers to show them how to be effective digital citizens, and while our classrooms our filled with tech tools, we eagerly await to access them in ways that not only enhance learning in the classroom, but completely redefine the educational experience.