Among the many articles, it is evident that students need to be able to apply and create, problem solve, and be literate in technology to be a successful critical thinker. It is difficult for a teacher to ensure that all students are able to do this. A teacher would have to use Bloom's to create elaborate lessons, have students create and evaluate project after project to meet standards, and ensure students are taking ownership of their learning while the teacher is merely the facilitator.
Unfortunately, all of that creates stress and hardship for the teacher to be able to plan and fit in. Thankfully, technology enhances learning and aids teachers in being able to not only give all of the above mentioned opportunities to students but also to engage and challenge students in differentiated ways. With new innovations and new simple-to-use technology, such as Google apps, Seesaw, and Canvas, students of all ages can work at their own pace using the most up-to-date technology.
While explicit teaching in the classroom cannot be replaced, teachers need to recognize the value and novelty of digital literacy in the classroom. For the generation that is in elementary school today, technology has always been a part of their life. Younger teachers seem to be the first demonstrate innovative teaching strategies; most older teachers tend to follow their lead. While new technology for older teachers can be scary (because, let's face it, you grew up in a time where if you clicked the wrong button you lost everything you'd been working on), we as teachers don't want our students to be lacking in digital literacy skills because we were afraid to learn new things and branch out of our comfort zone.
Even the youngest of students can be digitally aware and literate. As a kindergarten teacher, my students use Google apps, Seesaw, code.org and Scratch for block coding, among many, many others. I am able to recognize the value in technology for students because I can visualize where our world is headed: a world that is almost solely digitally based. The quicker that I am able to teach students how to be safe online, how to find quality information effectively, and how to distinguish what software is best for certain types of projects, the more successful these digital citizens will be in their future.
I agree. It used to be so difficult to make sure all students could master every level when every students works differently and is on a different level. Using technology in our classroom makes it easy for students to work on their own level and allow teacher feed back easily. I love that your kindergartners are already learning to code. I am working with my 1st grade son at home on this. Students want technology in their hand. Why not show them a better way to use it than silly video games. If we train and lead students correctly they will become successful digital citizens instead of them learning on their own and learning and using the wrong things.
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