We live in a world of ever changing technology. I tend to find myself as a teacher telling my students, "Well in my days we had this...or we did it this way..." and cannot believe we have come so far in technology. We are a technology dependent world for the most part. The importance of using a variety of instructional strategies is simple: ALL students learn differently and at different paces. Differentiation is the key a teacher needs in order to be successful in a diverse mainstream classroom. One way does not work for all, and having the flexibility to make changes as you go is what you need. Traditional teachers teaches to instruct and instill knowledge. A 21st century teacher teaches STUDENTS to construct their learning and instill knowledge into others. Instructional strategies add value to education because students are more motivated and given the accountability to their learning. Learning should not be through repetition or routine, it should be through experiences and instructional strategies offer experiences for the teachers and the students.
The role of technology in instructional strategies of strategic and specific. Technology is designed as a tool, not a supplement. Teachers need to know how to implement technology and where it fits. For example, note-taking is very traditional while the teacher is modeling a math skill, but technology can become a tool through an app called ShowMe. This app is an interactive whiteboard that allows the teacher or students to record voice as they speak through a problem. Each video can be saved and a student can go back to review the notes to use for future problems. I use this app for all my modeling rather than writing on a whiteboard and students will use this app to record themselves working through a problem. I will use this a chance to progress monitor students on a lesson quickly.
Technology excites my students. My teaching will not become affected in a negative way, but in a positive way. Students love when a teacher uses technology and knows about educational websites and apps they can use on their own. Technology motivates and engages students with almost 100% participation. A teacher has become the guide on the side when needed, but students become in control of their learning and their own progress with certain technology instructional strategies that are offered.
No comments:
Post a Comment