An interesting story about the embarrassment of digital technology! Using wireless information is what we teachers have dreamed about inside classroom because it is easy and convenient for teachers to design and plan for the class, to demonstrate information and evidence at will. However, as we PGDELT students once experienced last year, there ARE many distractions in the wireless class. Students are frequently misuing the technology. Actually, I think it is inevitable and natural for the students who have just been freed from the constraint of the backwardness of technology in the classroom. It is a fresh experience to be able to chat wireless in the classroom. Nobody could really resist the temptation.
After showing mercy on the students who are distracted by various wireless technology, as a teacher, I have to say that we have to take measures to defend this, for our teaching, for the effective learning and also for the parents.
As recommended in the article, technology may be shut off. I'm afraid that is not sensible. It is just like we refuse to keep the window open for fear that flies should come inside. These measure are effective but not good.
If I encountered such a problem in the future, I would manage it in my way. In the first one or two sections, I would help my students to get connected to the internet and instruct them (or maybe they instruct me!:)) as to how to use the wireless technology, to let them know that they are essentially encouraged to make full use of the technology.
Second, in these first one or two periods, I would allow them to chat online with their classmates or friends--to spoil them to the utmost, to satisfy their curiosity and anxiety to try new things. Then at the end of the second section, I will "talk" online to them and exchange ideas and opinions of online chatting in the classroom. Any thought is welcome. Instructing students by online chatting would achieve unexpected results. (Actually I once spared one whole period of time to chat with my students about their difficulties and unwillingness to participate in the extracurriculum activities. Casual chatting proves to be more effective in persuading students into doing things they originally wouldn't).
Students will dispute over the topic in question. I would lead them under discussion and have them to persuade each other. Finally, I would reason them into not misusing wireless technology in class; otherwise, the technology wouldn't be available for the class time. Occasional enforcement would be necessary.
Sincerely hope that my students would be cooperative at that time.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Wan Li has her own way of dealing with the digital distractions, and I believe she can make it. We need to be clear about students' needs and interests, on the basis of which we can better deal with the distractions from class and lectures. It is teachers' duty to attract the students and show them that their time is wortwhile.
Wanli mentions some problems I did not pay attention to, especially the ways to deal with the distractions. I think I can borrow some of her ways in order to lead students out of the negative impacts of internet.
Post a Comment