Posted by Atsumori. Category:
Minecraft was denied; SumDog was questioned. Tech integration continues to create backlash, mainly from those that do not work with children day to day. Educators who work with large numbers of children each day notice the advantage tech can bring to a class of diverse learners--in many ways, tech is the extra hands and support we wish we hand. Finally, we can reach more children in differentiated, personalized ways, and that's promising.
Some who deny the tech requests make the mistake of thinking that one tech program or event will take over, dominate, but that's not how we teach. At the elementary level we know a balanced program matters, and everyday we're aware of the fact that while some students are tech enthusiasts, others would rather be bouncing a ball, creating crafts, or writing a story. Just like adults, children present a large variety of interests, directions, and vision.
Yes, the Minecraft denial was frustrating, but it's not the end all. It is a tool we were willing to integrate, try, and use because our research showed us that it was a tool that has merit and promise for enhanced creativity, collaboration, critical thinking skills, and communication. Frankly, trying new tools means extra work and time for us as teachers. We don't ask for these tools because they make us richer, healthier, or more attractive, we ask for them because we think they hold promise for engagement and excellence.
So I'm movin' on to the many other foci in my midst including persuasive essays, embedding SMPs into each math unit, facts mastery, social studies' content, and STEAM exploration using many other tools. One step forward, two steps back, but we're continuing the journey. Stay tuned.
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