Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Article 4 - Literacy Learning
Reading the article was very interesting, but learning about all the apps that are available to people is what peaked my interest. Nowadays there is probably an app for anything that you can think of pertaining to learning about reading and writing. I really appreciated the apps that were available for early literacy because it could help give younger kids an academic boost before beginning school. Back when we were younger, I can remember a very small amount of educational television and learning materials (hooked on phonics, leap pad....) that assisted with literacy. As a teacher I feel that it's our job to expose these great resources to families of our students and allow them to explore the "app world" of learning; especially since 1:1 time with students is one of the biggest problems in the classroom nowadays. The major benefit to having these apps is that they are easily accessible, and can be used in both the general population AND to assist those with special needs. Within the Special Education field alone, technology has allowed many students not to stick out in the classroom. If I were to have special needs, I would definitely feel better being in the general ed classroom with an ipad containing apps to assist with my learning, compared to some of the huge low-tech items that students may have to use in the classroom. Just like with anything else, there are always pros and cons to the use of technology. You don't want your student(s) to become fully dependent on the apps and technology to the point that it becomes more of a crutch than an aid. But I really like the idea of using the ipads in the classroom. And I can see the use of learning apps in the classroom as being beneficial to the entire classroom as well.
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I like how you tied the article into special education. I agree that it is amazing when student's can use technology to be successful in the classroom, something that was not available just decades ago. I also liked your point about not wanted students to become dependent on the apps and technology. I also believe it is something that we as teachers should not use as a crutch. For example, instead of teaching the students just giving them them apps IPads or other technologies for long periods of time throughout the day. Even when our students are using these tools we are still their teachers and should be trying to help them as much as possible. It is an exciting new world we are entering in with all the new technology and I can't wait to see how else it benefits the learning that takes place in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteGreat post this week Amanda!
As for the use for early literacy, I understand what you are saying but I guess I'm more on the conservative side and think that when you can to use actual books for ECE. But I liked reading about your thoughts on the subject, always great to get more opinions. I also liked how you tied it into special education and how they can really help with many of the students. With a lot of the apps they have more control and ability to participate or just show what they are thinking/feeling with more ease. I'm definitely going to have to read more about the pros and cons about technology in the classroom, and specifically the impact on early childhood education. Great article review!
ReplyDeleteIt is so crazy to think how many apps there are out there. I feel like there is so little that I have explored just for personal use, I can't even fathom how much has been created for educational use. When I think of using iPads in a classroom, I always first imagine myself in some sort of resource room, working 1:1 with a student with special needs, and have a ton of fun playing some great educational game together on an iPad.
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