Russ Cole
Chapter 5 Reflection
Dr. Cullen
Chapter 5 Reflection
Dr. Cullen
Chapter
five of the text discusses what is true about the media that students use to
communicate. As an example, it uses texting and discusses all the complex
implications of a seemingly short and ignorant text message. The truth is that
texting is complex and sends as much information in its subtlety of tone as its
sender hopes to gain the response, each message being carefully calculated,
often in short time, by the its sending party. Such complex behavior does not
represent a void, but rather a mastery of complex social and organizational skills;
it is then up to the teachers to harness this in a way that is valuable to the
students’ learning experience.
The
text gives an example of a classroom in which the instructor gives the students
the option of working on a project through Instant Messaging or email.
Unsurprisingly, a majority of the students pick messaging. Interestingly, while
the instant messaging route provoked several off topic discussions, the free enterprise
of the IM discussion produce generally more fruitful results from the students
involved. The email groups were more on topic, but had trouble contributing new
ideas to the discussion and talked less frequently.
The
truth is that current communication technologies and processes can be used to
benefit in the classroom if effectively harnessed by the instructor. Students
can be encouraged to use these skills for collaboration rather than
distraction, but it requires an attentive teacher and a workspace that is not
restrictive to the productivity that this method stands to offer.
In the
science classroom at the university, students learn to succeed by sharing their
understanding of the information with each other. This experience allows the
students to see complicated information from new standpoints and expands
everyone’s knowledge pool.
In the
High School setting, similar involvement of the students would certainly be
desirable and, at this point, probably encouraged. So then, I intend to incorporate
some few projects, likely in the place of homework, that require the class to
interact, in person and through media, to collaborate on a specific set of
ideas and tasks. In this way, students will be exposed to each other’s
perspective, allowing them to see the subject in a new light and grow in that
area where previously they experienced limitation.
Meanwhile,
having been a student myself, I also believe that class time is most
effectively used for classroom activities. Unless otherwise required, personal
communication devices are to be kept out of sight and remain unused while class
is in session unless otherwise indicated by the teacher. The very same devices
that have great potential in the dispersal of knowledge also have an
unfortunate knack of cutting it off at the source by simple distraction.
Ultimately,
it is clear to me that communication, no matter what the process, stand to
benefit the student so long as it remains mostly focused and is diligent in its
use. It is my hope to allow for such interaction as much as possible and
effectively encourage my students to use it wisely.
Have you seen those websites that you can use to poll a classroom using text messages? I think that would be a great way to get students involved in a classroom discussion while being able to use their phone. I allowed phone use for googling in my classroom, and it is a struggle to keep students on track, but with monitoring and a mutual respect, it worked out pretty well. You will always have some kids that try to take advantage of you when you give them a little freedom, but overall they enjoy it and conversations flourish. It could be used as a bell ringer, or as a closing activity. Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteWe actually had a demo of a program called ViaResponse before the semester started. It actually allowed an instructor to do attendance as well as polling and even quizzes using student's ipads, smartphones, etc. I thought it might be something neat to utilize with older students.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer this to clickers, to which I feel it is similar. My only problem is the fear that some students do not have texting.
ReplyDeleteShould my students have texting, or I have some way to get them a texting device, then this is definitely something I could consider.
As for your last statement, I at the very least m hoping to do this in their collaborative in-class projects. Google is to useful for students to not be allowed to use. Still, I feel using it too much can be limiting. However, and much as you, I think it is a wonderful idea!