Are You Prepared for These Drawbacks of Bringing Tech to the Classroom?
As much progress as technology can help a classroom make, it isn’t always a positive force. There are some drawbacks to trying to introduce technology into classrooms, even when the implementation is done in the most thoughtful and well planned out of ways.
Most dramatic shifts in how humans act and interact are accompanied by difficulties, especially at the outset. Though these difficulties may not outweigh the benefits of the new paradigm, they are nevertheless real. Technology in schools is no exception. Some of the problems associated with technology are mechanical: we all have memories of a teacher struggling to get a projector or program to work, or of losing a week’s work on a project because of a glitch in a system. Other problems may be less obvious.
Many schools must deal not only with students who lack access to technology, but also with those who have too much access. Some students spend most of their free time at home playing computer games, surfing the Internet, or texting on their cell phones. This obsession with technologically based entertainment spills over into the school environment. Teachers must be aware of students who are surreptitiously playing games on cell phones or tablets in the classroom, who are using school computer time to communicate with friends, or who are not getting the social contact or exercise they need because they are hunched over their device at every free moment. See the accompanying “Survival Tips” for help with students and cell phones.
Another difficulty is that the World Wide Web contains not only beneficial information, but also information that may be harmful. Young people may not have the skills or desire to filter out the negative elements from the positive. As a teacher, you should be aware of this and should make an effort to tutor children in possible danger areas on the Internet: chat rooms, sexual trolls, and so on.
Just as you as a teacher must do your research on how to best extract benefits from technology, you must also do your homework when it comes to being prepared to combat the negative impact technology can have. Make sure you’re equipped to handle not just the best, but also the worst of what happens when the modern age comes to school.
Educators – how do you deal with the difficulties of seamlessly incorporating technology and teaching?
In a third world country like South Africa (even though you wouldn’t say it when you visit the big cities!) we still have an issue with reliable broadband connectivity. Many schools have slow ADSL that simply do not allow access to multiple users at the same time – it can be very frustrating to have a great idea that you want to try out in a class only for slow/unreliable internet to completely foil your plans!
In my point of view regulatory frameworks must be put in place to counter the level of distractions associated with technology. ISP’s, administrators and policy makers must come up with policies that seek to govern the use of certain gadgets, at what time, place and how often.
Expert advice also needs to be put in place to assist give consequences when such decisions are implemented in order to find ways of mitigating risks that may occur during the process.
The main challenge that most educators face when it come to technology is its social and economic implications. The teacher should understand the difficulties that come with dealing with such effects. On the social impact, it has on the community and individual and also the financial implications attached to use of these technologies.
I taught middle schoolers. After some lessons from Common Sense Media re online safety, my ground rule was, “Do what you’re supposed to be doing,” and “Don’t post anything that you don’t want your grandparents to see.” So, for example, if we were doing a research project, no games, only collaborate with those who you are working with, and if you come across a web page that’s not “school appropriate,” let me know, otherwise you’re off task. There is always going to be someone trying to play a game on the side, etc., just be an alert teacher, deal with it as it comes. Also, your lesson/project/unit is really important! It should be interesting, important/authentic and expectations should be clear. Give as much choice as possible, and call students on it if they are straying.