As a teacher, I love to entertain my students. I take on the accents of the characters. I read with passion and emotion and animation. I often ask myself, as much as they are entertained by my "burstings" are they really engaged? Is everyone getting what they need from the lesson? Many of my students say they have read the whole book already. Many can't remember their spot from last class. How can I teach the standards with the assistance of electronics and still provide valuable lessons for all my students?
Although our tiny island is geographically isolated, we are linked to the world around us with fiberoptic cables, satellites and internet connections. We carry phones in our pockets that enable us work and play on the fly. Imagine having to lug around an Apple IIe in the early eighties. Truly, the digital age is upon us, as well as an era of standards based teaching and testing. The tiny and more capable iPod slips neatly into the pocket or knapsack. The iPad is a handy research tool and can even be used for video conferencing. Tiny devices with enormous capacities are changing the character, even the worthiness of such iconic institutions as the library. From behind the coattails of ever increasing changes in the world of silicon and nano switches, emerges the face of a new child, a child who believes my mother-in-law's flip phone is broken because it doesn't light up when he shakes it, a child entertained in a shopping cart by a flickering LED screen, (oblivious to the candy or toys within reach). That child is in school today, longing for knowledge through a light source, striving to make his teacher proud--instantaneously--and as often as s/he asks him, with the the help of a handheld device.
The subject of hand held devices is intriguing and multifaceted. Recently, to the relief of students, parents, and staff, our middle school has developed a new electronics policy. Students don't have to fear reprimands for using electronics at school as long as they follow basic rules and procedures. During school recess, students can talk, listen to music, play videos or games, as long as the content is appropriate. Students can also use electronic devices to do research. Students use their electronic devices to take notes and as aides in giving presentations. For many teachers, myself included, this is a relief, since reprimanding students for simply possessing an electronic device is no longer necessary. Phew! But questions do arise. Questions such as: How can we help students maintain their focus on the real issues at hand? How can we help them remain engaged? How can we be sure their efforts are relevant and related to the standards? Will these digitally enhanced lesson plans help the students with standards based testing?
Teaching with electronics must extend beyond students' personal devices, however. Being engaged in relevant activities can include the wealth of opportunities that are available through the internet, software development and other multimedia resources. Students' desire to find information digitally leaves a blemish on the role of the teacher as the major source of information, however. Where does the teacher fit in? Can a student still be entertained and yet engaged? Indeed new teacher effectiveness guidelines call for student led engagement in the classroom. Collaboration is embraced by common core standards as well as by purveyors of the middle school philosophy. Ultimately, the goal is to allow students to work collaboratively with the use of technology embedded in standards based lessons. Teachers also share the role of preparing all students for life beyond school, of being effective communicators, community contributors, ethical users of technology, problem solvers, and quality producers. Perhaps the role of a teacher lies not so much in dissemination of knowledge but rather a guide to source credibility and the impact of final outcome.
I hope to utilize this blog in order to improve communication between teacher, students and parents as well as to enhance the literacy experience of students in my classes.
I am looking forward to exciting conversations and your own connections to the text!
Aloha! A hui ho!
Noel Leary
