During class, we discussed tablets being used in the classroom. This idea stayed with me for a while after our conversation and I kept fighting myself on whether or not I agree with them being a classroom tool. One thing that makes me think they should not be a part of our teaching is the thought of keeping them a privilege at home. I know that some parents feel they do not want their children to bring their iPads or tablets to school either because of possible damage or they feel it is distracting. One thing that I think is that it takes the electronic device and makes it a right, or automatic tool that the student deserves. It is no longer a privilege, now it is a must for the student. I think if these are going to be used so frequently then we would have to have some seriously close monitoring and strict rules to make sure the item is being used properly.
Like I said in class, I think it is a great idea to bring into the classroom every once in awhile as a fun activity or reward for a class. But, I do not think that tablets should take over the classic paper, pencil, and notebook we have used for so long. Again, it's all about finding the balance (a common theme we keep running into in class discussion). I just wanted to hear everyone's thoughts on the topic. Do you think they should be used in classrooms? If so, how often? Basically, what suggestions do you guys have that you were thinking might work in your future classes?
I know how you feel Sam, mostly cause I feel the same way. Tablets have not even been around that long and they still seem like a new piece of technology and yet schools already have them in their schools.
ReplyDeleteI do think having a tablet is a privilege because they are expensive. I just checked online and an Ipad 2 sells for around 400 and yet the laptop I am using right now cost me 325 and does so much more than a tablet. Yes, it is not as small and light as a tablet, but I feel schools should stick to PC's and not so much to tablets.
I do wonder how much technology will take over the classroom. Our generation is smack dab in the middle of a huge technology boost that we don't even know what to do with it all.
I do believe you are right in saying we need to find a balance. Its crucial to a classroom to have a balance of the old and the new. As to how, I dont know but maybe its up to us to be the innovators of tomorrow and find out!
What a great point, Sam! I think it's really scary to even think about it, yet I think it should be free reign. Depending on the amount of technology available perhaps it could engage these apparently tech-hungry future students of ours into taking notes and participating if they do it their own way.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, it has to depend on the situations we will be in with time. I suppose there is nothing we can do if the school provides technology and the students have other classes submersed in technology and they come to our humble English class expecting English al a tech... Which is terrifying. Out of everything I've thought about being troublesome as a future teacher, I never thought technology could be a problem, but now it seems like we really should watch out for its influence and attempt to integrate it into our lesson plans if we want these tech-hungry tweens and teens to listen to us... :/
I still believe that there is value in printed text. A tablet will never compare to a real book... it smells so good and with time, it smells even better. All I have ever wanted in my future house was a library. Not two bathrooms or a skylight... A room with shelves in it for books.
...Then the nook and kindle come out and everyone swarms to this wonderfully efficient technology and I'm like, Wait, guys, it's a gimmick! All you own are files that you can't even print out! Stahppp! One clumsy trip and your nook is cracked! One spilled drink, and bye bye convenient textbook! Fall asleep and forget to charge it and you're screwed!
All these negative thoughts surround my opinion of e-readers and I don't want to own one because I fear it will replace my love of actual books. Sorry for the rant/tangent, but I legitimately fear these new generations losing what it feels like to have real books or printed word... I also fear the government having such power if everything were to translate to files online... Hello Fahrenheit 451...?