Think about a school! Teachers use just direct instruction in courses and don’t follow any novelties in education or technology. What do you think about this type of class? Do you get bored or do you learn effectively in this type of class? In my opinion, you get bored because of lack of fun and visualization in the course. In order not to have such courses, we as teachers should start to follow up technology and use it in our lessons. There is a big reason to use technology: “We live in technology era and it is growing fast in today’s world. Students of this era are using technology more than us and will continue to use technology more in the future. Therefore, in the light of the article called “Using the technology of today, in the classroom today” by Eric Klopfer, Scot Osterweil, Jennifer Gross and Jason Haas, I will try to explain the necessity of technology and how can we use it in the schools.
Students usually ask the question in the courses that “Why do we learn this and where do I use this knowledge?” We as teachers try to explain the real world conncetion of lessons but osmetimes it may not be enough explaination for students. At this point, we benefit from technological tools like games, simulations or web sites to make real world connection of lessons. Using technology in education provide effective understanding and vice versa. Therefore, educators should deveop themselves about effective technology use. Teachers should use technology to follow novelties in both education and world. More importantly, students can make their knowledge more meaningful and understand the apllication of their school knowledge in real life in different contexts.
Many students spend much time by using computer games. In order to benefit from this spended time, teachers can use digital games in school and get students’ attention to the courses. Students love games because there are competition and desire of success, desire to win the game and much visualization in the digital games so teachers should turn this situation to an advantage for the lessons.
Simulations are also examples of real life and they are like models of real world. Simulations differ from games at the point that simulations are more stable than games but there is more movement in the games and there is no win situation in the simulations. In my opinion, simulations are more beneficial for students because in the games, students can focus more on winning situation but in simulations they understand where they can use their school knowledge in real life and can internalize the knowledge.
Social networking also is a good way for technology embedded instruction. Students can share their opinions or project ideas in these sites. However, social networks can also be used for bad purposes like ridiculing with someone’s ideas. Social networking can be used properly when teachers and students have collaboration and when students don’t use these sources apart from the courses.
When it comes to use technolgy effectively in schools, of course there can be some obstacles. However, we as teachers can overcome these problems. Firstly, we should focus on “the context (school), the innovator (teacher), the innovation (project or tool) and the operator (students).1 Teachers should ask some questions to themselves about these four factors. Does these factors have prior knowledge? Is it appropriate for the school or students’ learning level? Is there any support for technolgy use in schools or not? etc. Teachers should be willing to use technological innovations in schools then they can overcome some obstacles.
There are four important tips for teachers: “explore- partner with a colleague- find additional supports.”2 Teachers should explore technology first and make trials at their home and then should use them in school. Also, they should collaborate with their colleagues from same of different departments. By doing so, they can motivate each other and technology use in schools increases. Finally, teachers can find additional supports. Teachers can develop some technological tools and get aid from some companies, foundations or instutitions so that they can develop themselves and it is beneficial for students. By using technological tools, effective and deep learning occur and students increase their attention to lessons and they internalize the knowledge with real life.
References:
Students usually ask the question in the courses that “Why do we learn this and where do I use this knowledge?” We as teachers try to explain the real world conncetion of lessons but osmetimes it may not be enough explaination for students. At this point, we benefit from technological tools like games, simulations or web sites to make real world connection of lessons. Using technology in education provide effective understanding and vice versa. Therefore, educators should deveop themselves about effective technology use. Teachers should use technology to follow novelties in both education and world. More importantly, students can make their knowledge more meaningful and understand the apllication of their school knowledge in real life in different contexts.
Many students spend much time by using computer games. In order to benefit from this spended time, teachers can use digital games in school and get students’ attention to the courses. Students love games because there are competition and desire of success, desire to win the game and much visualization in the digital games so teachers should turn this situation to an advantage for the lessons.
Simulations are also examples of real life and they are like models of real world. Simulations differ from games at the point that simulations are more stable than games but there is more movement in the games and there is no win situation in the simulations. In my opinion, simulations are more beneficial for students because in the games, students can focus more on winning situation but in simulations they understand where they can use their school knowledge in real life and can internalize the knowledge.
Social networking also is a good way for technology embedded instruction. Students can share their opinions or project ideas in these sites. However, social networks can also be used for bad purposes like ridiculing with someone’s ideas. Social networking can be used properly when teachers and students have collaboration and when students don’t use these sources apart from the courses.
When it comes to use technolgy effectively in schools, of course there can be some obstacles. However, we as teachers can overcome these problems. Firstly, we should focus on “the context (school), the innovator (teacher), the innovation (project or tool) and the operator (students).1 Teachers should ask some questions to themselves about these four factors. Does these factors have prior knowledge? Is it appropriate for the school or students’ learning level? Is there any support for technolgy use in schools or not? etc. Teachers should be willing to use technological innovations in schools then they can overcome some obstacles.
There are four important tips for teachers: “explore- partner with a colleague- find additional supports.”2 Teachers should explore technology first and make trials at their home and then should use them in school. Also, they should collaborate with their colleagues from same of different departments. By doing so, they can motivate each other and technology use in schools increases. Finally, teachers can find additional supports. Teachers can develop some technological tools and get aid from some companies, foundations or instutitions so that they can develop themselves and it is beneficial for students. By using technological tools, effective and deep learning occur and students increase their attention to lessons and they internalize the knowledge with real life.
References:
- Klopfer E., Osterweil S., Groff J., Haas J.; Using Technology of today, in the classroom today; 2009
- Klopfer E., Osterweil S., Groff J., Haas J.; Using Technology of today, in the classroom today; 2009