Now, the problem with the latest technology is that we try to translate that to the classroom. There are some major problems with transferring the latest technology to the classroom.
1. MONEY!
2. Professional Development
3. Up front student learning time.
Here is an example of a technology that I'm not ready to buy into.
The TI-NSpire
1. This device commands a lot of money. It would be difficult to work without a classroom set.
2. We had a 2 hour professional development session on the inspire. I'm a techie and I thought the calculator was confusing. I can imagine a teacher that is required to use this and really being frustrated with the amount of learning that has to go into it before they can feel comfortable with it.
3. I thought about my students learning a whole lot of useless technology and receiving a very small amount of curricular value.
The Flip Video Camera (or a similar inexpensive video camera)
1. Under $100 for 1.
2. Teachers can learn the technology in a 15 minute sitting.
3. Students need to know NOTHING before they use it.
How are these different?
Video Camera technology has been around a long time. When a technology has been around, it improves it's user friendliness. It also improves on price. I think I bought a video camera about 22 years ago for $1000. It was very complicated and clumsy. This flip video camera is a snap to use. The fancy new calculator needs to come down in price and in ease of use before I try to use it with my students.
Here are two blog entries that I have made previously.
http://teachhighschoolmath.blogspot.com/2010/12/using-flip-videos-in-high-school-math.html
http://teachhighschoolmath.blogspot.com/2009/10/using-flip-videos-to-help-students.html
DAVID'S BIG THREE for CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY USE
I don't want to avoid technology. But for the most part I won't hop on the technology bandwagon until I can reach these three points of using technology.
1. Students like it and benefit from using it.
2. There is a low up front learning curve for student and teacher.
3. The cost is reasonable.
I would be interesting if you wrote a post on how the flip cam helps student learning/engagement in the classroom. I look forward to hearing it.
ReplyDeleteGreat question Jim.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to add two flip video links in the blog entry show you how I use Flips in class.
The TI-Nspire is an amazing piece of technology. 3 years ago our school district purchased enough for each math teacher in our three high schools to have a classroom set of them. We did get the older model----which you can purchase for 60.00 or so now that the CX has been released. I wouldn't trash it so quickly, it has done amazing things for my teaching as well as my students learning. Kids who normally "didn't do math" now get involved because of the technology---they now have a tool that helps them understand the math.
ReplyDeleteI'm a high school English teacher and have also used the Flip Vids in my classroom. They are an excellent and versatile tool. I also find their compactness means that students are less self-concious when being filmed which is always a bonus - very thoughtful post
ReplyDeleteThe TI-NSpire looks so cool, but I know exactly what you mean about the learning curve. I remember years ago trying to teach people how to work with a TI-83 hehehe. If it takes longer to just learn how to use a piece of technology than it does to do the lesson normally, I don't think that's going to be a good use of time. With that being said, I think that doing it once in a while might be good to switch things up.
ReplyDelete