After watching Sherry Turkle's TED Talk Connected, but alone?, it is important to consider the fact that while technology provides endless opportunities for connection, it can also increase the social divide among people. It is evident that people are beginning to, "Deny each other their full attention" (Turkle, 2012). This statement is true, and becoming increasingly obvious. People like to be present but they also like to have the option of being connected on their devices. They selectively listen to what others are saying without giving them their full attention and respect. Since I have been a student this has been the norm for me in classes. Its so funny though what a dramatic shift this was from high school. I find that many teachers build in a 5% participation mark to their overall grade which includes turning off phones and leaving them in your bags throughout class. For me, this was an effective practice. 5% was not a huge potion of my grade but it was enough for me to pay full attention. The fact that I was disconnected from the outside world allowed me to focus and learning more.
There are both benefits and drawbacks to using technology in the classroom. It is clear to me that technology needs to be managed appropriately and used effectively in order for students to gain new knowledge instead of missing it.
It is important as a teacher to integrate technology into the classroom in a useful, and engaging way. Although technology provides students endless opportunities for learning, we need to ensure students are building genuine relationships and learning social skills. Students must make have time for social interactions within the classroom, outside of their technology.
There are both benefits and drawbacks to using technology in the classroom. It is clear to me that technology needs to be managed appropriately and used effectively in order for students to gain new knowledge instead of missing it.
It is important as a teacher to integrate technology into the classroom in a useful, and engaging way. Although technology provides students endless opportunities for learning, we need to ensure students are building genuine relationships and learning social skills. Students must make have time for social interactions within the classroom, outside of their technology.