The role of technology in the classroom

Monday, June 11th, 2012 | education | 3 Comments

A thousand years ago a person could prosper without being literate; this is no longer possible today.  Thirty years ago a person could prosper without being digitally literate; this is likewise no longer possible today.  The workplace demands both literacy and digital skills and someone who enrols for a university course without them is at a disadvantage.  These skills must be developed before a child leaves school.

It follows that the debate is no longer “should we use technology in school” but rather “how can we accelerate the introduction of technologies into our classrooms”.  In other parts of the world technology has been a part of classrooms for decades but in South Africa we are lagging behind.  While educators in other countries are already experiencing the power of technology as teaching and learning tools, we are grappling with the basics.

Technology can be used in a classroom in different ways.

The first one is to teach learners about technology.  Just as good handwriting, spelling and grammar skills are basic building blocks for learning, so a sound understanding of technology is required.  It is important to know how to use a word processor, a spreadsheet, presentation software and how to communicate effectively through email.  These are basic skills and we may assume that learners will pick them up by themselves, but we only have to look at the way they write SMS messages to understand that much more is required than merely knowing where to press the buttons.

Teaching with technology is the second level for which to aim.  Technology can be a powerful teaching aid.  Think about a teacher who uses a laptop and a data projector in the classroom to spice up lessons by showing interesting pictures or video clips.  This can spark off interesting class discussions, focussing the attention of learners on the learning material.  An interactive whiteboard can take this one step further, encouraging further interactivity.  If a teacher has a trolley with netbooks available, she can use this for drill and practise exercises to reinforce numeracy skills.  Innovative educators will find many ways in which technology can be used as a teaching tool.

Teaching through technology is the third level to which teaches must aspire in the classroom: technology devices can assume the role of tutors to assist teachers with teaching and learners with learning.  It becomes a tool for learners to find information, evaluate it, analyse it, and synthesize it to build knowledge.  Collaboration skills can be developed as well as other critical thinking skills required for twenty-first century living.

We have a long way to go to reach this third stage – most schools are still battling to bring technology into classrooms to get stage one off the ground!

The state alone can’t make technology in education happen, even though we are looking at the national and provincial education departments to take the lead.  NGOs and corporate organizations can play a major role in making technology in the classroom a reality.

The education system faces many challenges – making technology a part of the classroom experience is only one of them.  It is, however, a critical one if we do not want the digital divide to widen even further.

Tags: classroom, teaching, technology

How can a teacher maximize the value of technology in the classroom?

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 | education | Comments Off

If classroom productivity is measured in terms of the amount of learning taking place, ICT will prove to be a productivity powerhouse.  But this does not happen automatically.  The value of technology in the classroom depends on the way the teacher uses it.

Here are a few points for teachers to ponder:

Use your ICT devices to impact positively on learning; otherwise they’re a waste.

The mere presence of technology in your classroom won’t bring results –you need to apply it as a teaching tool.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating – you will only know the value of technology in the classroom when you try it.

Different degrees of white-elephantness occur in classrooms relative to ICT, ranging from under-utilization to total non-use.

Don’t allow technology to hinder teaching and learning – it remains a tool, albeit a powerful one in the hands of enthusiastic teachers.

Technology is most successful in the classroom when the focus is not on the technology but rather on teaching and learning.

Also bear in mind that technology in the classroom will only empower a teacher if the teacher powers it “on”.

Tags: classroom, teachers, technology

Why does ICT in the hands of teachers sometimes fail?

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 | technology | 2 Comments

Technology can be a valuable tool in the hands of teachers.  Sadly, at times it does not result in improved teaching and learning, leading some to conclude that technology “does not work” and, to use a cliché, the baby is then thrown out with the bathwater.

Don’t be too quick to judge technology if it does not yield the expected results in a particular classroom or school.  Bear the following facts in mind:

ICT is not a magic wand – its presence alone in a classroom is no guarantee that a teacher will miraculously become a good one.

One of the biggest – and most serious – problems encountered with ICT in education is under-utilization by teachers.  This is not a technology failure, but a human (and often a systemic) failure.

Technology can empower teachers but it is only a tool; true empowerment depends on how this tool is used.  It may take time for teachers to become skillful users of technology.

Vast as the potential is, ICT can only transform education if teachers are willing to tap into it!  You may have a huge water reservoir, but if you are not prepared to tip your bucket into it to draw water you can’t expect to quench your thirst.

Metathesiophibia – a fear of change – leads to stagnation; teachers can’t afford this when it comes to using ICT in school.

When you see a classroom where avaialble technology has not yet brought about a change for the better, consider carefully where the problem lies: with the technololgy, the teacher or the system.  Then put appropriate processes in place to remedy the matter.

Tags: classroom, metathesiophobia, teachers, technology

Once I have technology in my classroom – how often must I use it?

Friday, December 31st, 2010 | technology | Comments Off

Learners need variety to keep their attention throughout the day – even for just a lesson period.  That is why you employ a variety of teaching tools and techniques.  When you have technology in your classroom, it is yet another set of tools you can use to add spice to your lessons.  In fact, the use of spices is a good analogy to help you decide how often to use technology in the classroom. 

You use spices to enhance the natural flavour of food – a touch of cinnamon makes pumpkin taste better; one clove gives a kick to your stew; and a small pinch of ginger can make the world of difference to a boring dish.  Spices are edible – but they are not food.  Imagine eating a plate of chillies!  If your hand – or your spouse’s – slips and too much spice is added, the dish will be spoiled. 

Technology must be employed in the same way that an experienced chef uses spices – with discernment.  Chefs gain this skill by first making a thorough study of the different spices and then through experimentation.  You can develop similar technology acumen by becoming thoroughly familiar with the technology tools at your disposal and then by experimenting with them until you’re skilled. 

Once you know how and when to use technology you’ll realize that you don’t have to use it every moment of the day.  You don’t use other classroom tools – blackboard, dictionary, chemistry equipment, or abacus – all the time but through experience you’ve learned to turn to each one of them when appropriate.  You’ll soon reach the same point with your technology tools. 

During some lessons you may use technology simply to introduce a lesson by showing a brief video clip or picture to the class.  At other times you’ll prepare an entire lesson using presentation software and then use it for the full lesson period. 

Perhaps you’ll overdo it when you start using technology tools – trying to incorporate them into everything.  As time goes on you will learn to use your tools in the right measure, to spice up your lessons and to create an interactive classroom.

For more technology tips for teachers click here.

Tags: classroom, technology