Social Justice for Today's Learners

I feel that the common theme between these two articles is that as teachers we should not make assumption about the access our students have to technology or how astute they are in using it. The best course of action in using technology in our classrooms is to first know the students in our class well and to engage them at the most appropriate level possible. Then we need to realize that computers are the essential tools of today’s students and avoid making assumptions that they somehow detract from the learning process. In making assumptions about our students we lose the opportunity to connect with them and the chance to have the technology, that we do choose to use in the class, make a lasting impact.

In regards to access to technology being a social justice issue, I do agree with the authors of the article. Even if you look outside of computer use by businesses, every aspect of our lives involves an ever increasing interaction with technology. From on-line bill pay, to health information research to connecting with loved ones; our lives are connected to computers. If children do not receive proper training in the use of technology they will lack a fluency in our electronic culture that will put them at a disadvantage in competing with others, once they leave school. In our business and personal lives we use computers for more than just word processing and internet research. While these are the primary uses of computers in school, there are so many other ways that we can use technology to both engage students creativity and eagerness to learn, while at the same time prepare them for the broader world.

This is an “equity of education” issue that we have just touched briefly on in our education as teachers. In giving assignments to students we cannot assume that everyone has the same access to the internet or even the same skill to use search engines. While we need to make sure that students understand the use of technology in learning our subjects, we need to make sure that they equally have access to apply that knowledge. I do believe that we can have a meaningful interaction between content and technology and at the same time prepare students for the world outside.

I will definitely put thought towards the deliberate use of technology in my classroom. I believe that the use of technology needs to have a purpose just like everything else that is done in my class. With the complexity of today’s world it is important that teachers think beyond the task at hand and look at how the use of technology, in and out of the classroom, can be instrumental in shaping the learning process.

PowerPoint Commentary

There were two items that I really liked during the presentation. In concept I very much liked the idea of having a movie, or an animation playing in the background as the presenter is talking. It gives the feel of the presentation being more interactive. I also really liked the use of acronyms such as the ones used by Andy and Trevor; Ask question about the scene, Change-deliver y or emphasis, Think-what are they trying to say, Outside Research. Using acronyms allows you to bullet point thoughts without the bullet points. Most of the presentations that I have use a summary slide at the end. I think this is really important for retaining the main points of the presentation.

I think bad PowerPoint presentations can sometimes be like obscenity. You can’t describe it but you know it when you see it. The least engaging thing for me is often a presentation of a slide with a great deal of text in it. This can be improved upon by not writing out a definition of terms but instead only showing the word and defining it verbally. For me it can also be very confusing when I am presented with a slide full of information or a great picture and do not get any information, from the teacher, on why that slide, is there.

I think that next time I would ask for twice as much time for my presentation or greatly reduce the number of slides. I like to get the group involved far more than I did in my original presentation. If I had few slides, cutting out the video maybe, then I could get more interaction with the class. Another option would be to have the sound off and do the video at the end of the presentation. That way the information learned in the presentation on bird identification could be applied to the video.

I do like using PowerPoint as a lesson presenter; however, I think that you need to have a specific goal in mind when you use it. On the positive side, PowerPoint definitely gives a teacher the chance to present information in a neat, consistent manner and allows them to add all types of media into their presentation. There is a risk that once you have presentation it may affect the spontaneity of teaching and have you too focused on not getting off track. More than likely, I will probably use PowerPoint as a way to show illustrations seamlessly or to illustrate process. It will be limited to specific functions so that I do not become stale in repeating information.