The article Teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and their planning and conduct of computer-mediated classroom lessons, discusses that teachers own beliefs on teaching affect how they use technology in the classroom (p.808).
In one teachers words:
“I was like many new teachers last time ... always being excited about new ways of teaching. During my last twelve years, we have tried so many things ... group learning, problem-based learning, discovery learning, exploratory learning ... but they all didn’t work in the school system. We need to understand the nature of the school system to be effective ... schools are still about doing well for the examinations” (p.823).
A study by Gatzke and LeDrew, shows one school in Canada that found some great ways to implement the use of technology in classroom literacy learning with a physical education twist.
Here is what they did:
First Step: Two teachers (teaching 2/3 split and fourth grade) got together and picked two aboriginal games for the students to learn and play. They picked the Screaming Game and the First Nations Foot Race. Students were then taught how to play the game.
Second Step: The students then used procedural writing methods to explain to the reader the steps necessary to play the game and what materials were needed.
Third Step: The teachers modeled for the students how to use computers, how to access folders of pictures (using iphoto) of the students playing the games, and how to use spell check in wordprcessing.
Fourth Step: The students created “books” explaining the games in writing and with pictures. Many students chose to add music as well .
Fifth and Final Step: The teachers printed out the books for each child and made an extra copy to keep in the classroom library (p.289).
Don’t be afraid to implement technology into your classroom. You might just be amazed with what your students are able to create!
Resources:
Chai, C-S., Lim, C-P. (2008). Teachers pedogical beliefs and their planning and conduct of computer mediated classroom lessons. British Journal of Educational Technology. 39(5), 807-828.
Gatzke, L., LeDrew, J. (2008). Liking physical education and technology to engage primary students in meaningful literacy experiences. The International Journal of Learning. 15(8), 287-294.
