Wesch vs Turkle
The first reading I began with for this assignment was
with Wesch. I was reading through and I
realized I wasn’t grasping what he was trying to say. I mean, I was getting snip-its here and
there, but I felt a little lost. I
decided to then turn my attention to the Turkle article. This one totally held on tight to how I have
been feeling lately with some people close to me. I agree with her thoughts on
how although we may be right next to someone there may be something lost in our
interaction because we are not fully in the moment. We are not intentionally
listening and responding. Instead we are
absentmindedly nodding our heads to a question we don’t even “know” was asked,
while observing others lifting up their devices every time it alerts the user
they have a message. Funny, I don’t get
that quick of a response when I start an interaction with some. Many are overcome
by power from a small electronic device.
This leads us to Wesch’s article and my thoughts on
technology. If this device is so
powerful, how can we, the teachers and leaders, weave it into students’
learning without it becoming a distraction?
How can we make such a drab classroom become more than what meets the
eye? Let’s face it, many students walk into classrooms, look around and are
instantly turned off at what may take place. They have a hard time envisioning
that crazy inviting lessons could possibly come out of them in such a sterile
environment. It is our job to create a setting where they too believe anything
is possible. We can do this! Possibly with carefully created lessons that are
so meticulously thought out, students could not only learn from technology, but
also reveal their talents that would not have been otherwise noticed. Finding
the avenue where students will not become “techno-zombies,” but are also able
to navigate through the Internet, apps, and all it has to offer may stimulate a
desire for learning. This article discusses how technology has been successful for high school students who would have otherwise dropped out when used interactively, rahter than one-way. Forbes - Technology In The Classroom: The Question Is Not "If" But "How"
.
I believe there can be a happy medium. With planning,
implementing, re-planning and re-implementing our students can thrive with what
they most enjoy while demonstrating their knowledge. This does not go without saying that we need to be vigilant on how often students are allowed turn to their devices. With that thought, this article discusses self-control or lack there of from two smartphone users. Smartphones in the classroom, pro and con.
It's definitely tough to weave in the technology components with human interaction. I think some of the collaborative documents we've worked through in this class are a great starting place for what we can model in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about when kids walk into the classroom and see the drab environment how the negative thoughts could consume their mind. It is important we help transform the room through collaboration and tech to remember that both are important in learning.
ReplyDeleteHI Jamie,
ReplyDeleteI feel like the idea of a "happy medium" is what Wesch is trying to get at. People, not just educators, can't be stuck in their ways all of the time. Everyone has to learn to be flexible when big changes happen.
Hi Jamie, I like what you said about the classroom environment. It brings me back to the idea of conformity and what students begin to expect when they walk into class.
ReplyDelete"If this device is so powerful, how can we, the teachers and leaders, weave it into students’ learning without it becoming a distraction?"
ReplyDeleteThis is something I struggle with in my classroom. I want my students to be able to use all of the tools on their phones like a stopwatch, camera, accelerometer, etc for lab activities but I worry that they immediately turn to their snapchat or instagram as soon as the phones come out.