For ease of communication, I will refer to the Ziemke/Muhtaris book as the Ziemke book, and the Hicks/Hyler as Hicks. I actually know both of these authors, so that's why I use them. They are practicing teachers/professors AND they are true digital literacy gurus.
So now that you've read Hicks, Ziemke, and the article by Greenfield (and there are others who believe what Greenfield is researching), do a little of your own research and then do some compare/contrast work. Make an argument for each side and then make an assertion what you believe.
Blog by Friday, June 9th at midnight and respond to each classmate by
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed chapter one of Hicks. It kind of reminded me of how I may be when I become a teacher. Right now, it seems like cellphones are nothing but a distraction and will drive me crazy when I become a teacher. However, while reading Hicks it was neat to see how he turned the “annoyance” around and started giving the students a useful way to use their phones and incorporate them into class time and work. This is EXACTLY how they should be used, educationally. Students are going to use them anyway, whether its hiding them, or just doing it right in front of you. Instead of letting it take up your class time to get after the student, incorporate them!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article by Greenfield, I thought it was a little extreme. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if it eventually got to that level. Greenfield seems to be very concerned about what the hours spent on devices and playing games, could be doing to our brains and I somewhat agree with her but I don’t think even validated research is going to change people’s minds on not doing it so much. I do think excessive hours on end is doing damage and not just to our brains but how people communicate with one another. Children are a huge factor in this when it comes to going out to dinner for example. I have seen so many kids (especially my brother) bring their device and not look up from their game one time during dinner. For one, this can’t be good on their neck, eyes, and relationship with their family members. I think parents should say no phones at the dinner table and limit the amount of time they allow their child to play on it.
Greenfield would not agree with Hicks on the whole technology in the classrooms idea. I think Greenfield would be astonished at the fact that Hicks was okay with incorporating technology in daily lessons.
Ziemke gave ideas on how to incorporate technology in the lessons and I loved the vlog idea! It was nice to see ideas on how you could do this in your classroom and keep it very educational. I will definitely be using the vlog idea when I become a teacher.
After reading all these different opinions and ideas, I think it is pretty clear what I believe in and what I think needs to be done. There should be a time limit given to children so they aren’t wasting away their lives on playing with technology, but in the classroom they should have certain times when their devices are incorporated in the lesson. This will engage students so much more and be a fun way for them to learn.
The actual blog here said to do something different than what the weekly assignment sheet said so I did the weekly assignment sheet one here: :)
I think living with a digital device is worse than living without. I think it helps a lot when it comes to school and assignments but for the social side of it, I think I could live without. At one point, I didn’t have Facebook for 2 years and at first it seemed as if I was out of the loop on a lot of things but it was actually nice to not be constantly on it, and finding myself wasting a lot of time. I do think it’s nice to have internet to look things up, and do anything but use social media. I think not having it would make some things a lot harder- such as homework assignments. I would say I use Google at least 3 times a day if not more, I couldn’t really imagine not having it. I use it to look up phone numbers, address to where I’m trying to go, daily questions I have, etc. Its sad that people in my generation rely heavily on the GPS to take them places instead of a map on paper but its just how we grew up. I do think it would be useful to teach my students things like that so if they ever need to use a regular map, they are clueless on how to do so.
I agree with you that digital devices could be disruptive when it comes to social life, but digital devices provide a lot of useful services. As you have mentioned, it could be very beneficial for schooling, communication, solving assignments, and for many other useful applications. So, for this reason I think living with a digital device is better than living without.
DeleteWhen you read Hicks and Ziemke work, one thing that comes clear is that they focus on the positive side of the new technology and how it can be used to enhance the educational system and to make it more engaging. For instance, they talked about how new technology such as recording booth, vlog, and digital bulletin boards can be used to provide students with new ways to collaborate and express themselves.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Greenfield puts a lot of emphasis on the possible side effects of the new technology, and how it can damage the human identity and behavior. She talks about how the environment around us, which sends certain stimuli and signals to our brains, can alter the infinitely complex network that makes different parts of the brain. So, the author is concern about the impact that this ever expanding world of new technologies such as video games, the internet, and wireless networks will have on the micro-cellular structure of the brain, and how this can affect our personalities and behavior.
I think that the new technologies can provide tempting things such as video games, but they also can be very beneficial when used the right way. So. If the new technology such as vlog, you-tube, and other educational apps can be used to enhance the process of education, I think we should embrace the new technology and teach students the right way to utilize the new technology.
I think if the device is being used the right way and for a limited amount of time, the it is beneficial, however, it is abused so much I can see where some of the negative thoughts come in.
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