To say the educators can't agree on the uses of technology in the classroom appears to be.... the most insane understatement of all time. The blog post found here shows a video put out by an Interactive White Board company. In the discussion following the blog, there is an extreme disagreement over whether IWB's are worth their money, or just a marketing ploy by the companies who sell them. And it looks like I'm coming down on the side of those who think they are a waste of money. Surprise, Surprise. The video demonstrated a teacher using an IWB, but his class functioned essentially in the same way that a teacher who uses a chalkboard's would function. Students sat in their desks, the teacher lectured from the front of the class. Teachers commenting on the blog were not impressed and neither was I.
The thing that I found to be the most interesting about the discourse in the comment section, though, was that the main proponents of IWB technologies were school administrators and principals. And I have a theory that could get me into a bit of trouble. I think that the administrators want IWB's in their schools because it makes their school and their programs look more technologically advanced. It's a selling point for parents, for new teachers, and it makes the district look good to the community. I realize that this is a broad generalization, but I stand by it. It seems that there are more cost effective ways to incorporate technology that better serve both students and teachers. And we all know that no one in the education system has room to burn money. Besides, this is hard for me to think about, because all of my "best" lesson ideas, hypothetical as they may be, don't focus on incorporating the newest technology. Maybe that's because it's the only example I have to go by.
I'm also wanting to rethink my presentation about technology in the classroom, because I included a smartboard as something that I would want. But these comments are making me think otherwise.
Until next time,
Purrrrra
I think you bring up an excellent point when referring to the fact that administration wanted the IWB's more then most teachers. I think they see it as a way to draw attention and students to their school because they have the latest and greatest technology out there. However, I'm not convinced that IWB's are completely useless in the classroom. I'm sure they do help students learn and get them to engage more in certain areas of study. As far as the social science classes go however I do not see it as being the most educational tool for its cost. There are better things money could be spent on in that area of study (on-line programs that can advance learning) compared to what the IWB's could do. I do agree with you on most points though and I think its good that it made you think about what technology to use in the classroom.
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