As teachers we have certain expectations for technology. It must be fast and work 100% of the time. We often forget that it is merely a machine. For us, it takes on the personification of a surly adolescent, brooding and oblivious to our plaintive calls. In a perfect world, everything would work all of the time in the manner intended. However, with the constant changes in technology it is always a race to keep up and stay current.
Despite our best intentions, we cannot predict or foresee what every upgrade or change may do to our current system. To help alleviate the stress associated with this uncertainty I propose rethinking how we utilize technology in the classroom. Instead of trying to do whole group, lab based games, why not allow the students to work in cooperative groups to do project based learning. Yes, it may take a little longer and require a little more planning but it will provide for a richer educational experience. You would also need fewer devices which would allow you more flexibility if issues arise. Having students bring in their own devices is another way to assuage the need for resources.
If you haven’t tried out our handheld devices yet, you may want to give them a shot. We even have adapters which allow several students to listen to the same resource on one device. Our iPods and iPads are Internet ready and able to perform a variety of tasks. Students can work in pairs or small groups to access resources and complete assignments.
There are many ways to tackle this problem. I have named only a few. If you would like some more help in planning and developing activities please let me know. I recently came across the following article that will hopefully remind you of the power of technology utilization in the classroom.
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