Although it
is not a new “technology” in the school system, an emerging practice among
educators is the increased use of social media for collaboration. Many teachers are now utilizing Facebook,
twitter, and other social media networks to increase communication. Edmodo is now being implemented in many
classrooms and has a structure similar to Facebook. Teachers are able to post pictures and
comments as well as educational material and resources. Students have the ability to interact with
the materials, take quizzes, leave comments, and discuss topics with the teacher
as well as others in the classroom. Using
this type of media is increasing the flipped classroom model where students
listen to lecture and review materials outside of the classroom and participates
in group discussions and complete projects during class time. The idea behind this type of classroom model
has many benefits, but does not take into consideration students who come from
low income households. Students of low socio-economic
backgrounds may not be able to benefit from classroom settings where the
majority of the information is gathered outside of the classroom and brought in
for discussion. Teachers may have to make
some accommodations for students who do not have access to this type of
technology at home. The good news is
that computers and becoming more affordable and soon the majority of students will
be able to work together without being confined by the hours of the school
day.
We are experiencing these type of problems in the public school on the haves and haves not. Flipped classrooms are fine in the arena of higher education. I believe that schools provides many resources as possible to help to the students achieve success. The new emerging technology may be a problem for some groups of students.
ReplyDeleteYes... it is a problem. I have tried to modify it by allowing students to stay with me after school to use the computer lab. I don't really speak to them during the time, but rather encourage them to write down questions so we can discuss it in class later. As much as I like the concept of the flipped classroom, it is creating a divide.
DeleteAt this upcomming ISTE conference, I hope to see new technologies that are affordable and will allow schools to provide low cost computers to their students. President Obama has mentioned initiatives that hopefully would provide Internet access to rural America. Currently I have been associated with a nonprofit group called Nevada Connect that does offer low cost computers to the community, however, they have poor Internet access which defeats the purpose.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThere are also a lot of grants for underprivileged youth that will support the purchase of laptops as well as provide internet access, but the funding is growing more difficult to get hold of .
By the way...I had a difficult time finding your blog for this class. Can you send me the direct link?