If 75-80% of our students love using cell phones, iPods and other gadgets, why aren't teachers using them in the K-12 classroom to enhance students' intrinsic motivation?
July 12, 2011
Why aren't we using gadgets in class?
According to the PEW Internet & American Life Project, teens aged 12-17 are using gadgets like mobile phones and iPods more than ever. A key to a successful Results Only Learning Environment is to give students choice in how they demonstrate mastery of learning outcomes. With autonomy, students develop a thirst for learning. Since the data is from 2009, it seems likely that these numbers are now much higher.
If 75-80% of our students love using cell phones, iPods and other gadgets, why aren't teachers using them in the K-12 classroom to enhance students' intrinsic motivation?
If 75-80% of our students love using cell phones, iPods and other gadgets, why aren't teachers using them in the K-12 classroom to enhance students' intrinsic motivation?
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How? In many districts, the school would have to invest in those devices and that would be a tremendous cost. I'd be interested in hearing specific examples of ideas for incorporating these tools into the classroom.
ReplyDeleteStudents today are fluent in electronics. They generally don't need advanced instruction in their use, and nobody who's unable to do math can point to the lack of an iPad as the reason. My school district used a computer program last year that placed students in a particular grade level and gave them extended practice opportunities at their level and allowed them to move up. Our test scores haven't come back yet, but they don't need to - I suspect our reading and math scores went down, largely because we replaced classroom instruction with this computer program for several hours a week.
The research actually says that you don't have to purchase anything, because the kids are already using the gadgets. Let them bring them to class as learning tools. My students use iPods for reading and cell phones for web searches and communication. For students with Smartphones, there are hundreds of amazing applications that can be used to influence learning.
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree with you about computer programs that "place students in grades." Sounds like a waste of time and money. If you want your students to read more, give them choice in what they read and the source for supplying the info, and their reading will take off.
Thanks for commenting.