I completely agree that technology should be a part of the every day classroom. In chapter 12, the author discusses how technology improves motivation and provides authentic connections to kids. She also talks about how kids in the classroom are bored because of how material is being delivered and they feel it is irrelevant to how they learn. Chapter 5 also talks about assessment and if students are presented with alternative types of assessment rather than high stakes, standardized types, underperformers might produce highly creative work. We need to ensure that students are ready to face our advancing world. We need to keep up with how students learn and what interests them.
The author goes on to describe in each of the chapters how, "...technology is changing at an exponential rate...". As educators how do we possibly keep up with learning all these new trends? How does administration keep up with the cost of providing all the technological updates that are needed in a time of budget cuts and fiscal hard times? While I agree that to engage students and keep them learning by doing, how do we make that possible with 2 very large issues blocking our way?
K, where does tech fit in the K-5 level where you teach? How tech-savvy are these kids when they come to your school? Quite a range of ability, I assume? How should tech be used in K-5 schools and how much time with it? (Do some elementary students carry their own cell phones?)
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