Okay, so I have been ignoring my blog. It seems like just when I sit down to begin to write something comes up and my blog gets pushed to the side. I hope that isn’t a sign that the novelty has worn off for my subconscious because the conscious side is still very much interested. That almost sounds too close to the Miniwheat commercial with the serious wheat side vs the frosting side. Ah, how I digress.
As I have been planning my digital project for 831 I had a thought, a reflection one could say. The ultimate focus of the project is to engage students through technology and create an alternate learning environment. Using the internet, blogs, etc one would think that this should be a slam dunk. Teens today are all over the internet and would be as lost without it as the 80’s would be without big hair, acid wash, and bad Don Johnson videos. However, what about those students that really don’t care about the internet. I know that sounds far-fetched but I have taught some students who fit this mold. They would much rather learn the “old fashioned” way than sit in front of a computer. Any thoughts on how a learning environment that is technologically focused could be sold to these students? Or will social pressure and that innate desire to fit in and be accepted be enough to force these students to develop a fondness for technology assisted learning?
It seems too that some students are just not motivated to learn. I have a couple of these students in math class this year. No matter what technique I try, they just are not motivated to learn. Even technology hasn’t motivated them so far.
One thing that worries me is that we keep telling teachers that they need to change their approach. I know there are different pathways to the brain but honestly, there are a few students whom I haven’t been able to help find a pathway to learning.
I know of those students… might be an interesting project topic to engage the “unengaged”. I wonder if they are individuals or a “group” of disengaged. Would be interesting to poll what their interests are, and then get some ideas from there for a project.
Just a thought.
I agree, not all kids are cut out for online/web-based learning. I signed many student up for elective classes through TSL and many choose the print format. But, most love to text and surf internet. I guess the web is only for FUN!!! However, it may be initial jitters as well. I find that we can be so compulsive in education. Any new trend and that’s the only way it can be done. There will be people who have a difficult time learning on the web, so we should try to combine things as much as possible. Eg. traditional learning, online learning, etc.
Unfortunately, I cannot think of one student in my high school who does not use the net on a regular basis? Just about every kid in grade 9-12 has their own cell phone, yes, little old Cupar Sk. Our students, and their parents are very tech savvy. Most of our parents prefer being contacted via email, some of my teachers are comfortable with it, but I am still most comfortable using the phone.