Computers are an important part of the educational experience. It would be boring to sit in a class and get lectures all day. Especially for younger classrooms. Kids in first and second grade need to be entertained or they will lose focus. In order for a successful learning environment, there must be a balance. There should still be class discussions, and activities, but I think it's important to incorporate technology into the lesson as well.
I plan to incorporate technology into many of my lesson plans when I become a teacher. I would like to be a kindergarten teacher, and I think it is important for children to learn from, and work with technology at a young age. Last year I was able to observe a sixth grade classroom. The teacher used the website Kahoot, that we also used in class today. It was a fun game for the kids, and also a great review of the lesson without the pressure of being quizzed. I will definitely be using Kahoot when I have my own classroom.
A digital native is someone who was raised in the age of technology. I am a digital native. I have technology in my house, my friends house, my classrooms. I have been surrounded by technology my entire life. I use technology every day, for social media, to talk to my friends and family, and to work on assignments. Most of my teachers would be known as digital immigrants meaning they didn't grow up with technology, they had to adapt to it. I think it is easier for digital natives because we don't know life before technology so it is basically in our nature to know how to use it. I also believe the next generation is going to have it even easier. The technology they use will be even more advanced than what we have now. Technology is changing every day, and if you don't keep up with the advances, you will get lost in the past.
How else is technology integration important beyond alleviating boredom?
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear you intend to integrate technology with babies. They can do it! Remind me in class to tell a funny anecdote about kindergarteners doing research.