I personally plan on teaching elementary students. When I was in elementary school, technology was not used in the classroom. However, I felt that teachers engaging students in the learning process and showing support and concern for the students' learning proved to be very significant. Also, as per the author, "To stay in school, these youngsters wanted better teachers, smaller classes, individualized assistance, a school climate fostering achievement, and a strong relationship with at least one adult in the school believing in them and seeing their potential for educational success." (page 29)
I believe that in higher grades, particularly middle school and high school, technology is integrated a lot more into the curriculum than it would be in elementary schools. It is also discussed that depending on the teacher's own ability to use technology, determines how and how often technology will be used in the classroom. Even though I may be considered a "digital native", I am not sure how I would feel incorporating technology when I start teaching in an elementary classroom. I guess I may be a bit old-fashioned when it comes to learning or I am not sure on how to balance teacher-centered and student-centered learning using technology.
Questions
(1) Is technology a motivating factor for students, or is it teacher-student interaction?
(2) It is stated in the chapter that some students would prefer to use their personal electronic devices for learning in the classroom. Do you agree? Would this be a distraction for the student rather than a way to facilitate learning?
(3) If you could go back in time, is there anything you would change in the way your teachers taught?
