Teachers, I want to know your opinions on technology at school

[Anonymous]

I have taught 30 plus years. I would have no electronics until third grade. Then limited use. Online textbooks are a joke in the elementary school and the result is teacher stress. There are cool things kids can do with technology in upper grades, but the computers aren't charged, the Internet goes down, the kid's password needs to be reset, etc., etc. There is no time to train teachers how to incorporate technology so it's mostly playing games. Too many kids are on screens too much and it's ruining them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a high school English teacher.

Students need paper/hard copy texts. I once had the misfortune of working for a principal who insisted upon using "online editions" instead of purchasing the new class sets I wanted. This was catastrophic because students were not able to annotate as thoroughly as they might have done with actual books. Students were also less able to complete the kind of "close reading" necessary for literary analysis, and the difficulty locating key passages to support assertions in class discussion was frustrating for all. That year, I quietly purchased the books my students needed with my own money (almost $1k for the year, for all of my class sections and all of the novels we needed). That principal wasted a great deal of money on other technology we did not need, and he insisted that teachers incorporate much of this into our lessons. My AP English Lit scores that year were the lowest I've had in my entire teaching career. (The principal moved on to head a more prestigious private school, and I hear that parents still adore him).

Students waste a great deal of time with phones, and I wish our school would ban them in the classroom.

Laptops are essential on designated drafting days. I like to drop in and out of student drafts via Google docs so that I can type feedback/direction, and shy students appreciate this because it is a way for them to receive detailed, directed feedback in a way that does not call attention to the student. It also keeps students on their toes because they know that each night, I will randomly drop into a few Google doc drafts to see student progress and offer input. Students need to learn to write and format papers on their computers, and I would never want to revert to paper-and-pen composition writing only.

I teach as an adjunct in college. Book fees are outrageous and unaffordable....up to 1500 a semester, even with used books. All my students engage in close reading with online texts with annotation done on a screen. You have to learn how to do it.
Learning how to adapt is key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Math teacher pp: I can see the value of technology outside the classroom for the reasons you posted. Not inside though. Khan academy is not a replacement for a teacher who can answer questions.

I said it was a complement to the instruction, not the instruction. However, outside of the class is where the rubber hits the road...when they are on their own with a math process. You are not there. The other point is that these programs isolate individualized instruction- very hard to do inside the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. Yes, I love technology.

[Anonymous]

Bottom line- as a teacher one needs to understand how and what technology to use. Anyone who says technology is a waste of time is way out of best practice standards. Secondly, the use of technology should not be lumped into other issues with screen use, addiction to social media, access, etc. These are separate issues from what is appropriate for learning. All those issues are big problems, so I hope I don t see your kids at Bertuccis on their iPad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Math teacher pp: I can see the value of technology outside the classroom for the reasons you posted. Not inside though. Khan academy is not a replacement for a teacher who can answer questions.

I said it was a complement to the instruction, not the instruction. However, outside of the class is where the rubber hits the road...when they are on their own with a math process. You are not there. The other point is that these programs isolate individualized instruction- very hard to do inside the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Math teacher-zero benefit of phones/computers in class. English/history uses them a lot, but the push to go "paperless" in math is destroying students' math skills.

What is the push to go paperless in math.

[Anonymous]

I am a secondary school teacher who uses technology DAILY in my classroom. However, we ALSO do hands-on activities and learning, as well as lots of discussion. The blend of modalities is what enhances learning in my classroom.

I am a huge fan of Google Classroom, OP!

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher who likes the concept of Google Classroom but I hate the actuality of it. I like other aspects of it but I really dislike the significant limitations in establishing organizational systems of materials. It is one big pie chart with no way to establish a hierarchical system to segment and sequence folders and materials.

[Anonymous]

I am a special educator working in an inclusive high school setting.

Technology is a game changer for my students. From technology that allows my students to communicate (AAC) to the fact that they now have speech to text, text to speech, word prediction, and other adaptive functions at their finger tips, it makes an enormous difference in their ability to participate in the classroom. It also makes it so much easier to provide the modifications that students need real time. I can communicate with kids or teachers via email, if questions come up. A teacher can also send me an assignment, I can modify it, and turn around and have it in my student's hands so much faster than the old days when I'd need to make modifications, walk to the printer, walk to the classroom. That doesn't sound like a lot, but if there are students in my room, I can't just leave to do that.

[Anonymous]

I teach third grade. I have no problem with the use of laptops, iPads and even "phones" in the classroom. Most of my students don't use "phones", but I do see a use for them if applied appropriately. I put it in quotes because it is more than just a phone. It is a tool that has a timer, calendar, and can be used for research.

My school doesn't have iPads, but students can use personal iPads for the above uses as well as reading on websites such as MyOn and Tumblebook Library. Still, most students don't bring them in to school.

I find Google Apps very useful, but we have a scarcity of laptops. 62 laptops for ~150 students makes class-wide computer use a bit of a chore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher who likes the concept of Google Classroom but I hate the actuality of it. I like other aspects of it but I really dislike the significant limitations in establishing organizational systems of materials. It is one big pie chart with no way to establish a hierarchical system to segment and sequence folders and materials.

What (?) there is an amazing hierarchical system. Training is available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teacher-zero benefit of phones/computers in class. English/history uses them a lot, but the push to go "paperless" in math is destroying students' math skills.

What is the push to go paperless in math.

No rote worksheets. And there should not be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher who likes the concept of Google Classroom but I hate the actuality of it. I like other aspects of it but I really dislike the significant limitations in establishing organizational systems of materials. It is one big pie chart with no way to establish a hierarchical system to segment and sequence folders and materials.

What (?) there is an amazing hierarchical system. Training is available.

No, there isn't. Training is available but the organizational system for Google Classroom sucks.

[Anonymous]

Do you find that is is helpful or doesn't make a difference?

If used skillfully, it can be helpful in assessment. I have yet to find that the pros outweigh the cons in instruction for middle school. And I hold a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology.

Do you think each child should have a laptop assigned to them?

Not for use all day in school. I would make sure students can check out a device to do homework or work on academic interests like using CAD.

Would you rather the money be spent on other resources, such as hands-on projects?

I’d like textbooks, since parents keep asking for them. I would like smaller class sizes. With our current student: teacher ratios, we can’t do some hands on activities even if we had money to buy materials.

Do you think cell phones should be restricted, banned or permitted at school?

Highly restricted. It is a major distraction, even when you plan an engaging lesson or allow free choice learning activities. Think about how often you see adults pull out their phones during a dinner date with spouse and another couple or a performance they paid top dollar to watch? We’re all addicted.

Online books vs. textbooks. Which do you prefer?

I’d be fine with online books if we had very basic kindle-like readers for them.

As a parent I have my opinions but I am not in the schools working with kids. I really want to know your opinion.