Hello folks, my name is Artashes Bezjian and I'm majoring in English Literature. While I am not aspiring to be a teacher I do have some thoughts regarding what I feel is the best role media technology should play in teaching. Media technology has made teaching easier in some places but also difficult in others. The main boon of media technology is being able to show students educational videos from the internet via a projector, which is most effective with History and English classes. The use of powerpoint slides is also very effective as opposed to the teacher writing everything on the board as it both saves time, is much more eye catching, and allows the teacher to go through the important topics of the class faster. I believe all of this because that's how a lot of my classes were taught during high school. Every classroom had a built-in projector that could link up with the teachers laptop, and the teachers would primarily teach using powerpoint presentations that they made for the class and only used the writing board when needed. And for many history and english classes, the teachers would even show us videos about the topic to help us better understand it and would ask us to write short summaries of what we just watched to make sure we paid attention. I personally found this teaching method using media technology to be a lot of fun and effective in regards to teaching me. It made the teachers job easier without subtracting from the teaching quality.
But on the other side, another thing I noticed when I was in highschool regarding media technology is how much other students used their smartphones, even during class time. Some students would barely even pay attention and just use their IPhones to pass the time. This is a common problem with the advent of the Information Age and isn't a new dilemma as it is almost a decade old. The most ideal solution would be for teachers to have their students put their smartphones in a bin or some table in the corner of the classroom when class starts and pick them up when class ends. That way the students aren't being distracted by their phones but their phones are still nearby for them to be able to contact their parents or receive phone calls from them. This is already what is done whenever we take our finals or midterms during highschool so I don't see why it couldn't be done for every class.
These are my general thoughts on how media technology should be best managed and utilized in a school environment and what its overall role should be. I implore readers to give their opinions on my perspective, do you agree? Disagree? Are there things you would change with how I think media technology’s role should be in a classroom? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Hi Artashes! I agree with your perspective on how technology should be utilized in the classroom. Teaching using a form of media technology not only is a great way to maintain students' attention but is also a way of using a universal design for learning. Not all students learn in the same way so having access to resources such as videos or pictures enhances the learning experience.
ReplyDeleteAs for having phones in schools I also agree with you. Phone addiction is heightened in teens and I think your idea about managing this usage could work, depending on the school.
Nice to read your writing! Cheers!
Hi Artashes, I enjoyed reading your post and your perspective on the role of media technology in education. I agree with your post because I also wrote about something similar based on my own experience. I believe that media technology can improve the learning experience by making lesson plans more engaging for students and provide a better understanding of topics. Incorporating media technology also helps students prepare for presentations using PowerPoints, write papers with Google Docs, and online resources for research instead of just relying on textbooks. Of course, with upsides there are also downsides. We’re only human and I believe everyone can use media technology for good and not so good reasons. I’ve seen students use media technology for their own personal benefits. Such as checking their personal email, watching social media, or movies on downtime instead of reading a book or educational games. However, you do bring up a good point in addressing the misuse of media technology in the classroom. One solution is to use a lockbox where students place their cell phones at the beginning of class and get them back after class. Another idea is creating a space for a phone-use zone where students can leave their phones to charge. If there is free time or the lecture ends early and students have not used their phones then they could be allowed to use them with permission. -Samantha
ReplyDeleteHi Artashes,
ReplyDeleteI really like your perspective on media technology in the classroom. Like you, I am not an educator, but as a student I can attest to the benefits of having technology in the classroom. The built in projectors have been a life saver in a few cases when I could not understand the teacher’s handwriting. Visual aids posted in Power Point and projected during lectures have also been really helpful. This type of technology when implemented in a history class, as you used for an example, has been great. Attaching an image to an event long passed or putting a face to a historical figure is very helpful in relating with people or events. As a student I am more excited to participate if I am fully engaged.
The subject of smartphones in the classroom is a really important topic. I finished high school before phones at their most basic level were even a thing, let alone a widespread possession. I cannot imagine the hardship that it causes when instructors are teaching with distracted students. This year many school districts have implemented policies that ban the use of smartphones for students during school hours. I am very interested to see how this works out after the initial pushback from students.
Thank you for your thoughts.
-Katanie Duarte