Reflection on "Critical Issue:Technology..."

"Critical Issue:  Technology:  A Catalyst for Teaching and Learning in the Classroom"
Written by:  Gilbert Valdez, PhD.
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te600.htm


One idea that caught my attention within this article was, "Students say that the not-so-engaging uses are the more typical of their assignments (Valdez, 2005)."  Students tend to enjoy using technology for assignments. This can make the assignments more interesting and engaging for the students.  However, many times students feel that they tend to get assignments that use the basic, not so engaging, applications to complete their work.  This may be because of the teacher's lack of knowledge of the available software and programs for educational use.  It is important for teachers to use software that the students can have some "fun" with also.  The use of computers within the classroom helps to create a student-centered atmosphere for learning.  This gives the students more room to find information for themselves, rather than having the teacher to lecture to them.  By using the student-centered approach to learning, students tend to retain information better.  However, if the computer use or technology use is not engaging for the students, they will not be interested enough in the assignment to want to learn the information.  One way to find out which programs or software would be interesting for your students is to actually ask them.  Students tend to know what they like.  Also, there may be some things that the students can teach the teacher about the computer and software, too.


Valdez, G. (2005). Critical issue: Technology. Retrieved from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te600.htm