Have you ever been forced to use in classroom just what the institution or school provides. That means cutting out any sign of technology that you might bring to help learning.
Even as a student, probably, you have encountered a teacher who does not allow technology in the classroom (Laptop or smartphone). And if you ask for the reasons, you're told that such allowance will might encourage students to use those gadgets for no educational purposes.
I certainly admit that they can be a distraction. But it is a very narrow way to block the usage. I must confess that once I taught in a private school where technology was prohibited in class. And I've got to teach language. So the use of audiovisual was pretty advisable to show my students the different accents and variations.
For students, it was also good idea to have a smartphone at hand in case they wanted to extract and consult some information, which contribute to the topic being discussed. So, imagine a language teacher just using a board and a book while the authorities hold this obtuse way, without realizing they're diminishing the progress of students.
This, among other experiences, are commonly seen in some schools. I've posted regarding these issues before in a series. And it's been a while since the last time I wrote, analyzing some aspects from a teacher's angle. I began this series some months ago because I wanted to bring some awareness regarding certain behaviors and paradigms that still prevail in education (Here's one of my previous post about this series). And I've based this appreciation not only on personal experiences, but also in recurrent situations that I know for sure that some colleagues also go through.
What's the center of the problem?
The problem is the wrong focus that it is put on it. Teachers are ordered by supervisors or authorities to uphold the law so the speck. They are even made believe that the only proper tools a kid must have are a board and a book... maybe some handouts to make the class "interactive."
Just think of a person like Albert Einstein. A man ahead of his time, whose intellect was somehow chained by the lack of better technology. He would have loved to travel forward in time and see all the gadgets we use nowadays. Or just imagine how a mind like his would accomplish in this era.
In addition, he will certainly advocate for anything that brings quality of life. And that definitely include the use of technology in every classroom. Without it, society get stuck. And this is fact. The important thing is to use technology properly, which I'll discuss in a moment.
What should be done?
Instead of limiting the progress, institutions and authorities should create awareness about how to use these gadgets efficiently in order for the students to see by themselves the practical utility of technology. I remember when I was a student, the school didn't have much (Actually, the resources weren't go where they supposed to go ). And all those subjects that require practice such physics, biology were only imparted in theory.
There was a time where chemistry subject counts with a lab and some materials to do some experiments. And allow me to confess that I really enjoyed that time. And surprisingly, those students who used to have no interest in education did the experiments as well. During that period of time, we all were enjoying ourselves, mixing and proving the theory in the lab.
So, imagine what could be done if teachers prove students that with the mobile they're using day and night are capable of learning, and find more and more useful information plus interacting with like minded people, growing at the same time their ability of socializing positively . I firmly think that the level of the class will improve substantially. The quality of learning will certainly reach new heights if the right focus is introduced.
What lies in the student's heart?
The personal engagement in every student, no matter how he or she could be doing at any moment in school, will depend on his emotions. In others words, students react if they feel discomfort due to lack of interest or boredom. In this time, children start at an early age using technology, which is our best ally as I've implied in some paragraphs above.
Besides, gadgets are all around us. We cannot block the usage of those important tools. I always believe that the majority of the inventions move us forward, including those things that are used wrongly. Because that's the real problem, "the usage."
We use things, and we are the ones who give them utility. It's not my intention to go too far, but think of the first time a driver use a car to intentionally hit somebody else on the street. Who's the bad, the person or the machine?
So, we're in command to destine things to extract the best results. Everything is our mind, sew with principles and morals. Those are the things that we should impart to all our students... If we succeed at it, they'll begin using technology for the right purposes.
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