June 23, 2020
Promote the benefits of technology and support learners in its use
Pooja
Thomas Edison said long ago that “Books will soon be obsolete in schools…our school system will be completely changed inside of ten years.”. However, one of most important inventors was proven quite wrong for many years purely because it has taken many many years due to remarkable resistance to innovation and therefore classroom experience did not change for long time.
We must as teachers understands that technology empowers us and help our students learn. Technology helps fulfill the potential that Edison saw more than a century ago. Technology in the classroom is becoming more and more predominant. Tablets are replacing books, and we can research just about anything that we want to on our smartphones. Social media has become commonplace, and the way we use technology has completely transformed the way we live.
According to a study by IT Trade Association CompTIA around 75 percent of educators think that technology has a positive impact in the education process. The impact that technology has had on today’s teaching has been quite significant. This widespread adoption of technology has completely changed how teachers teach and students learn. Teachers are learning how to teach with emerging technologies (tablets, iPads, Smart Boards, digital cameras, computers), while students are using advanced technology to shape how they learn. By embracing and integrating technology in the classroom, we are setting our students up for a successful life.
According to (Moyer, Bolyard & Spikell, 2002) “virtual manipulative is best defined as an interactive, web-based visual representation of a dynamic object that presents opportunities for constructing mathematical knowledge.” While concrete manipulatives are still relevant for uses in classrooms, virtual manipulatives add to the learning experience. Virtual manipulatives give students prompts, feedback, and answers to problems while working on problems letting the students use more self-exploration.
Technology occupies an important place within learner’s lives. Even when they are not learning just about everything that they do is connected in some way to technology. By integrating technology into the classroom, we as teachers are changing the way and enabling students to learn at their own pace. For example, almost all apps allow for individualized instruction. Students can learn according to their abilities and needs. This form of teaching is also great for the teacher because it gives them the time to work individually with students who may be struggling.
with students who may be struggling.
Technology is playing a major role in teaching Math’s to ESOL learners in my class room. Based on background and prior educational experience, some learners are not familiar with how to use a calculator or some of the more sophisticated models, such as the scientific calculator. I give students a chance to practice solving problems with their calculators once I have reviewed it. I love for learning to be fun, yet it has to serve a purpose. Students who frustrate easily in classes, respond well to the use of technology. It also allows for the possibility of students conducting research on favorite and assigned topics. Many technology devices and translation applications add the availability of reading to students if they are struggling with Maths vocabulary. Learners also use their Smart Phones in class room to immediately use translation software, thereby not wasting any time and keep up with the learning.
In my beginners ESOL class, learners usually have very different levels of numeracy. This is accommodated through differentiated activities and tasks which practice the language of numeracy in addition to specific numeracy skills. The computer games play a vital role in reinforcing the fundamental concepts along with videos for functional Maths concepts. All the technology interventions help greatly in learner’s education and learning experience. Learner’s feel empowered and take responsibility of learning in their own hands which is ‘win-win’ for both learners and teacher.