iSchool Worries…Is Technology A Distraction?
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
The comments to the iSchool video I posted give some insight into some of the challenges involved in implementing one to one technology of any kind:
Chelsea asks, “Won’t students tune out if we use iPod Touches in the classroom?”
I say…The distraction argument has been made in terms of integrating multimedia in the curriculum, using the internet, math manipulatives, realia, etc. It seems that making school a boring place has the biggest danger of tune out possible. How many students tune out listening to their teacher lecture all day?
What you’re describing, I think, is a classroom management issue. When I pass out linking cubes for teaching addition there’s the same tune-out danger. I always give students time to play with the cubes before starting the lesson. But once the lesson starts, if you’re messing around then I take the linking cubes. Same with the iPod Touches, netbooks, laptops, whatever you’re using.
