In the culture and time period we live in today,
everyone, be it students, parents, or children, are glued to their mobile
devices. The world is changing so fast that everything needs to tend to the
technological era we live in. However, I fear in using EBook's and programs of
that nature instead of actual paper books in my future classroom. Despite the
fact that I personally feel English is a connection between the reader, writer,
and the written word, other forms of technology can be implemented into my
lessons and still be able to use “old-fashioned” books. Technology can be
incorporated into writing essays and doing group presentations, without taking
away from the “traditional” way of interacting with the text.
In
high school my English teachers always encouraged us to use marginal notes in
anything that we read. Since then, I became very apt at reading in that manner.
It is very rare for me to pick up a book and not underline phrases or write in
the margins; I feel that it is my duty as an active reader to participate in
what the author is communicating to me. Because reading is a very active and distinctive
thing, I think if we take books away and start using software’s such as EBooks
or iBook, it will take away from this experience. I do know that you can
highlight and enter comments in these software’s, but it is not the same. When
a student is underlining or writing in the margins, literally writing, it gets
stored in their brain. This way when they are preparing to write an essay, or
searching for quotes, it is stored in their brain and they can easily locate
that information on the page. This active learning is very common in English
classes and enforces great studying skills. How will we in the future adapt to
changes like these? Will paper books become extinct and the school systems
dramatically change?
Whenever
this occurs I think English classes will drastically change and everyone will
need to adapt to these new changes. Until then, other technological uses can be
used in my English class such as PowerPoint presentations and using technology
for projects. I can use PowerPoint to introduce new authors, strategies for
writing papers, or students can use PowerPoint for debates and presentations. I
can also incorporate technology into the classroom by having my students use
the internet or technological devices for projects. For example, I can have
students perform a scene from a play that we are reading and record it. Or I can
have them create “FakeBooks” for the characters in a book. They can also access
different databases to research articles to incorporate in their essays. Since
most schools have memberships for various databases, it would be extremely
important for my students to be able to access this information for their
essays. This will ensure that they use the right resources and not invalid
sources such as Wikipedia.
The
educational system is changing as the generations change. Children of today’s
generation are taught at a very small age to use technological devices. Therefore,
I do feel that sooner or later the school system will need to reform
drastically in order to tend to the way in which children learn. In some ways
this is already occurring with some school systems adapting their curriculum
with the use of iPads. If everything is going to change sooner rather than later,
only time can tell. The effectiveness of this change will also be visible once
these future generations are set out in the real world. However, all subject
areas will be affected once technology totally shifts as the only resource in
the classroom. Until then, all we can do is take in the moment in time and engage
our students with what we have.
In my future classroom, I want to steer away from using certain technologies, as I feel that using books is still essential to students. When students have the option of using EBooks or other forms of books on the internet they may not feel obligated to go use their book since it is online. However, having the book physically with them gives them the push they need to complete their assignment or read the chapter necessary.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read I find myself highlighting and underlining important information that I will need later on when studying/reviewing for a test. I agree that if we take books away we are taking this option away from students who have adapted to study skills in which they underline and highlight important information.
I too intend on using PowerPoint and the Smart Board as means of technology in my classroom for the time being. When the time comes that books are eliminated or another technology becomes available I intend on making the transition as easy as possible for my students to feel comfortable with using EBooks, for example, as their textbook.
I do agree with you that actually writing notes on the margin is different from highlighting or taking notes on a computer. I do the same thing as well when I read so that I don't miss out any main points. You said that schools eventually have to adapt their curriculum with the use of technology but do you think this is possible for every school? Some schools may don't have the money or resources to make that transition, from books to eBook. Some experienced teachers may also don't want to change their teaching styles, such as writing on the chalkboard since that is what they have been doing for the past ten years. I think that the primary step in the reform would be to educate the current in-service teachers, who still haven't integrate technology into their classrooms how to integrate technology into the classroom. I think that we shouldn't rely too much on the technology since we may encounter technical issues all the time. Old-fashioned books are still better in many ways because physically flipping the pages of a book makes reading an active process. Learning is an active process, so why do we want technology to get rid of the active part of learning?
ReplyDeleteAna-
ReplyDeleteAlso being a future English teacher, I fear the same changes in terms of physical print novels versus ebooks. For most learners, especially visual spacial learners, the physical act of underlining and writing in margins is an aid in making the text concrete. While in an ebook you can preform similar techniques, there is an absence of making physical contact with pages, and a spacial and chronological orientation of where key points fall- which aids in visualization and memory. Perhaps where ebooks can be implemented is for the actual English/Literature books, which are typically outdated and excessively heavy.
I personally enjoy reading from a physical book; there is something intriguing about flipping page by page. Growing up, I attended an elementary school that lacked technology; there were about three bulky computers in most classroom, but most of them did not function. All of my essay drafts were to be completed by hand; homework was rarely requested to be typed. Even though it was not too long ago that I was in elementary school, I have witnessed the rapid speed that technology has launched. There are several schools that provide each student with an iPad, which they can take home and use in class. Of course, if I were placed in a school which provided this service, I would be absolutely thrilled because I could create so many different interesting lesson plans. However, I would be breaking away from reading a physical book and writing assignments by hand. I believe that there should be a balance; students should learn how to use technology, but they shouldn't forget how to pick up a pencil and circle, underline, and write in margins.
ReplyDeleteAna, I completely agree with this post. I think eBooks and eReaders and great for some people, but definitely not for English students. It is way too easy to skim a book and not even read it if you are reading it from a computer. Even though you can take notes and highlight, it is not the same. You actually have to do it to make it stick so you can understand what exactly you are reading. Also, it is so much harder to be an active reader when you are constantly typing and pressing buttons to control your book. It should not have to be that way. I also agree that at some point, the education system will have to change so students can learn without these technologies, or we will just have to accept it and teach with them. Like you said, only time will tell.
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