"But [technology] does suggest that we as educators need to reconsider our roles in students' lives, to think of ourselves as connectors first and content experts second."
This statement is key to the whole article and, I think, hits to the core as to the importance of Web 2.0 and the classroom setting. This article, in particular, this statement REQUIRES teachers to look at the role that they are playing in and out of the classroom and to closely examine it. It also requires teachers to think what the students are learning in & out of the classroom and to draw connections to the students outside world to that of their world inside the classroom.
"The technologies we block in their classrooms flourish in their bedrooms. Students are growing networks without us, writing Harry Potter narratives together at FanFiction.net, or trading skateboarding videos on YouTube. At school, we disconnect them not only from the technology but also from their passion and those who share it."
Students are immersed in this technology as the writer of the article states it is an important question as to how much of this technology to bring into the classroom. In my experience in teaching college comp, I've realized that while students may be knowledgeable about technology, they do NOT know how to use it in an academic setting. I've tried to use Google docs for virtual writing conferences in lieu of person-to-person and after 3 weeks of trying this out, the students said that it was to complicated. I'm not sure if I track it to the technology being difficult OR if they are just a little lazy.
I know that students are using technology in their everyday lives. I think that we, as teachers, need to not only impliment the use of technology into the classroom but how to use this tech in an academically viable and responsible manner.
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2 comments:
@Vanessa - I agree with you when you say that students may know how to use technology, but I also find a huge disconnect when it comes to using the technology academically. I hate to say it, but yes, the do seem lazy. They also do not see the need to write in complete sentences or why they would need formatting skills using word processing programs. Students seem to know what to do when it comes to social networking, but not when it comes to following directions. Digital Citizenship is really important to teach to students. Try not to give up. Keep trying new things and hopefully something will click with them. Good for you, for trying new things!
Vanessa,
I seem to run into the students that "know it all" and there is nothing new that anyone can show them. I also agree that students have no idea on how to use technology for academics. As Kim had mentioned in her response about the formatting and word processing programs, so many times I have come across text messaging symblos and abbreviations in student's writing.
Alison
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