The Victorian Internet has by far been my favorite book that we have read so far this semester! Not only did I get to learn about the progression of communication through the telegraph, I was also able to relate to how people were feeling about new technology being introduced. I grew up in a world where there were computers and cell phones and was exposed to these things at a fairly young age, therefore, these items are second nature to me. However, my mom and grandparents did not grow up with these technologies. They are still learning how to use the basic technologies, where I was born into the generation where these things came naturally.
It seems as though every time I turn around there is a new iPhone, a new gadget, all requiring the latest and greatest technology. Don’t get me wrong, I love technology, but when do we stop? When do we say that what we have right now is enough? When do we let kids be kids?
In my classroom, every student is fortunate enough to have access to multiple electronic devices in their home. Like I said, I grew up with technology, but not to the extent that it is today. My students have everything at their fingertips, the can chat with friends, they can fast forward through commercials or skip songs they don’t want to listen to. This has made students very impatient, they expect everything to either happen in an instant or happen on their time. Students rarely talk to their friends face to face when they are at home. When they come into the classroom they do not know how to appropriately interact with peers. As a teacher, I feel like I am going backwards and need to teach them these basic life skills in order for them to not only succeed in my classroom, but in life! As great as technology is, it is being used as a “filler” both at home and at school, which is not it’s greatest use. Teacher friends...what are you seeing in your classrooms? Do you think technology is playing a part in the development of our students?
Hey Jordyn!
ReplyDeleteIn my classroom, I do see the kids act extremely impatient with things. They rush through math problems and make careless mistakes, they keep on tapping the glass display on the Ipad when things do not resolve quickly, and in some cases (SPED attention case) will not do any work unless promised 15 minutes on the Ipad. It is a monster, sometimes, but just the same, we need to keep designing experiences that make our guys PICKLE....
I too believe we have all become more impatient due to the instant nature of having everything at our fingertips instantly! I really loved the book too, it would not have been something I would have looked into and I was fascinated by all the details and how much it mirrored the Internet today. While I do love technology and devices, there needs to be a better balance. While we can be creative with a device I think students are losing a more hands on creativity. They do need time to just play and be creative. We are doing something different this year in library. I have fixed library lessons and I also have a rotation of STEAM centers. The students are just exploring and "playing" within the center. So are "high" tech and some are "low" tech - which basically is no device. I have had to reassure them that they will get a turn in each center throughout the year. Each center has them thinking differently and creatively. Some students really struggle thinking with no instructions - you can just make whatever you like. I have left challenge cards with ideas for those students - to help with an idea. Lego center seems fine but I have stawbees that are very cool but really task students to create and play. Students in 3-5 and taking SOL tests - lose so much of that "fun" creativity as they move along in the grades.
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