Today in placement I bore witness to how prevalent classroom technology really is. Perhaps this CEP course has made me more cognizant of it, but I really noticed just how much students depend on technology.
First, students were working on a math worksheet. Their teacher, Mrs. M asked if anyone would like to share their answer to problem #1. All of the hands shot up, and after she called on one student, I expected him to begin explaining. Instead, he stood up and walked over to the Elmo and placed his workbook beneath it while the rest of the class watched on the screen. (If you read this post, you know I love the Elmo, this simply took me by surprise!)
Then, I was working one-on-one with a student who was writing a short essay about why it’s important to be kind to others. We drew a brainstorming web, then began writing. He quickly lost patience and his handwriting became very sloppy. I asked what was wrong, and he asked, “Can’t we just type this?” I wasn’t sure if Mrs. M would mind, so I just told him to keep practicing and that it was good for his penmanship! At first I was surprised, but then realized I shouldn’t be. These kids are constantly exposed to the speedy, immediate gratification of computers and the Internet. In a way, their generation will be blessed with a knack for efficiency and time. On the other hand, I feel as though these students feel very rushed and tend to lose motivation on an assignment if it takes longer than expected.
I could hardly navigate a mouse around a computer screen in 3rd grade. My typing was slow, choppy and I used one finger. The 3rd graders I’m working with click around and type faster than I can keep up with.
Overall, these kids are gaining valuable knowledge and skills in the areas of technology, specifically fluency in computers. However, at what cost? Of course, technology should be integrated in an appropriate and effective way. I simply don’t want my students, or any students, to think that utilizing technology is the only way to achieve something. I want them to learn to appreciate and enjoy the simple pleasures that can be found in learning- marveling at 10 handwritten pages of notes, appreciating the days it took to revise a paper by hand, etc. Again, I look forward to striking this balance in my future classroom.
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