Q: I have been assigned to a very hi-tech classroom for one of my classes. As a lowly adjunct without even a mailbox, I am stunned. Sure, it's fun to push the shiny buttons, but I have perfected my schtick with chalk and index cards. Do I need to seek out new ways to teach with these gadgets, or will it look like I'm trying too hard?
I'd be very tempted to play, but I love bright shiny new toys.
ReplyDeleteIf your teaching style doesn't adapt well to technology, then don't use it. On the other hand, if the only thing that has held you back in the past is lack of access, I'd go ahead and get in that room during some down time to play with the tech and see what it can do for you.
In any case, I would recommend that you learn how to use it so that you can help your students if they choose to do so for class presentations and the like. That might be a good middle ground, so you look knowledgeable about the technology to them while still teaching the way you've become accustomed to over time.
Don't let the tail wag the dog, especially if (since) you've got limited time. As MLP says, it's probably worth making sure you know the basics: how to turn everything on, switch the projector from one source to another, etc. But beyond that, go with what comes naturally. If you're like me, once you get comfortable with the technology (which doesn't take long if you're writing on a computer and watching TV with a remote), you'll find ways to use it, and also plenty of times to ignore it and use the whiteboard that's almost certainly there also (chalk dust and hi-tech gadgets don't mix). Don't forget to carry your own markers and eraser; even if they're supposed to be in the room, they always dry up or walk off. Staples and similar places carry a fairly cheap, compact kit with two markers that snap into the handle of an eraser.
ReplyDeleteFor Men of a Certain age, this question seems like the "tie-or-no-tie" question. I will respond to both questions with the same answer. Do what feels "right" for you and then remain consistent.
ReplyDeleteI'm in a similar boat, but my problem is that the room is set up to be as distracting to my students as possible: a huge TV monitor on each of four walls that displays whatever's on the teacher's computer (if the system's turned on) and no "front" of the room. The desks are oval tables that seat 6 and are scattered around the room elementary-school style and there are wifi and laptop ports galore. The folks in the education dept who funded this remodel this summer boasted to me about the pedagogical benefits, but I'm hung up on how my students are going to be able to give speeches to an audience where everyone's facing a different way and the monitors for digitized visual aids are everywhere. Apparently it's not sound pedagogical practice anymore to have a single focal point?!
ReplyDelete@Blogless: Rearrange the room, have them move chairs into auditorium-style, or waiting-area-at-the-DMV-style for presentations.
ReplyDeleteLast quarter I would often start with some A/V materials, then once we started getting into lecture and discussion, the projector would go into "sleep mode," so when I wanted to go back to the film/Powerpoint/whatever, I'd have to start the whole rigamarole from scratch. It was quite distracting...not that they were paying attention anyway.
ReplyDeleteBut that's my ineptitude speaking more than the technology itself. I think it's useful.
@Frankity: I can definitely move the chairs, but the tables, despite their casters, are "fixed" in place because they're plugged into the floor and I was warned about moving them. Maybe it'll be better to ask forgiveness than permission on this one.
ReplyDeleteThe education dept lady told me, "It's great for presentations! The students can walk amongst the audience rather than stand in one place and read!" (As if those are the only two options.) Sure, they could if they were already experienced, confident speakers. Instead, it's one more thing for them to be terrified of botching. I'll enjoy roaming, though, so it's not all bad.
@Blogless the space we had for big speakers and presentations was designed that way at my old job. When students used the space I just had them turn off all the tvs but the one in front. Hopefully your space still has a bigger projector in front that everyone can see!
ReplyDelete@Hi-fi Hunny
ReplyDeleteSubvert the trope; use an overhead projector and a chalkboard.
Lex, If the technology is not designed for the user, it the fault of the technology, not you. We are, for the moment anyway, still its masters.
ReplyDelete@Blogless, if you have a Mac, just turn on the camera and display yourself in all directions ;)
ReplyDelete@CM, if you can requisition a Metaplan case + packing paper, you can tape the paper to the electronic board and use the pens to write on it, just like using chalk (except erasing is not so easy).
I personally love to play and would experiment to see what I can use the stuff for. The advantage of the little islands is I can easily see who's on Facebook. Learn to use Firesheep and in the first session, show what people have been writing ;)