Education and Technology
The irony of having to incorporate technology into my blog is not lost on me, considering my 11-year-old must help me with computer work more often than I’d like to admit. There aren’t going to be any mind-blowing stories on how technology has helped me personally, but I will try to communicate how the ways Garcia and Kleifgen ideas on technology effectively help emergent bilinguals throughout their educational journey.
The digital
era we live in is changing the way students learn, and classroom technologies
will continue to change and be more innovative as time continues.
Since the 1990’s
scholars have recognized the possibilities of enhancing learning through the
use of technology, by using different modes of communication such as sound,
image, and video (Garcia &Kleifgen), in conjunction with the more traditional
written and spoken modes. This was discussed in The New London Groups manifesto
“pedagogy of multiliteracies”, where teachers were asked to focus on the diverse
nature of their classes and how that can be celebrated and enhanced through the
use of technology.
One author
of the manifesto, Gunther Kress, has spent a large part of his career
researching and writing about a multimodal social-semiotic approach to
teaching. He thinks, semiotics, or the signs people know and draw upon to make
meaning of their world and multimodality, different modes of communication are
essential to acquiring proficiency in literacy skills. This multimodal approach
is especially important for emergent bilinguals, who can draw upon signs that are
universal throughout different cultures. Gunther should know since he himself
was born in Germany, and although English is his passion, it was not his first
language.
CLASSROOMS ARE ALREADY MULTIMODALITY IN NATURE
ü TEXTBOOKS
ü WORKSHEETS TALK
ü BODY GESTURES
ü BODY POSTURE
ü POSTERS
ü DIAGRAMS
ü IMAGES
ü EYE MOVEMENT
ü FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
ü MAPS
ü SUBTITLES
ü RECORDINGS
Kress argues
that by using different modes in conjunction with technology students can
achieve more complex and complete forms of communication. He also believes, “…emergent
bilinguals can exploit this complexity by using their home language practices
online to scaffold their learning.” (Garcia & Kleifgen, 2018, p.91).
Garcia and Kleifgen
argue that technology gives four affordances that make learning possible, many
times overlapping in nature.
1.
Accessibility- All languages use the internet, so
it’s a great resource for emergent bilinguals. It is a virtual library for
students, holding infinite amounts of information to explore the world without
limitations, like space and time. Teachers and students can literally globetrot
the world and celebrate all the cultures in their classrooms.
v Leads to greater multimodal content
learning for literacy.
v Translation apps like Google
translate can help improve both students and teacher’s communication, by
improving their understanding of written text.
2.
Retrievability
v Emergent bilinguals can return as
many times as necessary to multimodal content-based information on the internet
to reexamine and deepen their understanding.
v Allows the student to have more
control over their own learning.
v 
Construct Retrieve Review their own works in order to
improve their written language skills.
Construct Retrieve Review their own works in order to
improve their written language skills.
3. Interactivity
Interacting with digital tools- Programs and systems help emergent bilinguals
learn at their own pace, while utilizing their home languages to find their
voices and enhance learning in all subjects.
v Research shows that underserved
students benefit from highly interactive computer-based activities.
v Learning is enhanced when able to
collect and analyze data with multiple resources and multiple modes.
Interactions among
leaders with and through technology
v Students participate in conjoint
meaning-making design through collaborative projects and web-based multimodal
activities for writing tasks.
v Makes it possible to do projects with
others around the world through programs like The International Education and
Resource Network (iEARN).
4.
Creativity
v The concept of “design” introduced by
Gunther Kress, referring to both students and teachers feeling like they can
express themselves creatively using multimodal resources to create and design
new works such as…
· Blogs
· Papers
· Digital storytelling
· Designing websites
· Presentations
WE KNOW
TECHNOLOGY = A MORE EQUITABLE
EDUCATION FOR
EMERGENT BILINGUALS
HOW DO WE MAKE THIS A REALITY?
1. Access- One-to-one (one device per student), is most
beneficial for emergent bilinguals.
2. Interaction- Programs and software that are interactive,
not just rote learning.
· I found a few articles that discussed students
being more engaged when using educational video games like Pokémon, The Oregon
Trail and The Sims 3, which are all great for English learners.
3. Teachers- Teachers need to be advocates and instructors
who are well trained on multimodal learning. I found a few resources that
teachers said they commonly use with emergent bilinguals.
· FluentU lets teachers plan entire courses based around
video and audio content.
· ClassDojo helps reinforce good behavior for young
students as well as learning literacy.
· Duolingo gives the teacher the ability to track their
students progress under each students’ individual profile.
I plan to use technology in my future elementary
classrooms to creatively engage students and support my lesson plans. I love the
idea of using videos and books in other languages for students this age, so they
understand other languages are a normal part of life. Kahoot! is a tool that I
love, because it’s based on playing games, but also packs in the content for a
fun educational environment. Minecraft is also an option I’m finding interesting
to increase literacy, math and problem-solving skills. Music will also be
everywhere I can make it fit, because it makes kids happy, and there are thousands
of educational songs to learn from while also getting extra energy out! I look
forward to using technology with my students in the future!
Obviously, there are many precautions that must
be taken to ensure students do not get exposed to negative materials that are easily
assessable on the internet, but the consensus seems to be that teachers are loving
the endless possibilities technology brings their classrooms.
Questions:
1. How do we address the inequities that
exist regarding access to technology for everyone, and ensure all students have
the opportunity to enhance their learning?
2. How do you use technology in your classroom
with both English speakers and emergent bilinguals that you feel are valuable
for your students?
3. Do you think technology (e.g. computers,
phones, tablets, etc..) have negative influences on education?
I think I just proved how technology challenged I am! I have no idea why there is so much space after my blog and I cant make it go away!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Amanda! Concerning your 1st question I think as teachers we also wear the hat of being agents of change for our students and when it comes to inequities in access to technology I think we have to advocate for change and funding and also look for grants that can help create classrooms and schools where every student has the opportunity to engage in the benefits of technology. I do not have a classroom yet but I look forward to using technology when I get one. I loved that you spoke about how you want to use music in your classroom and that's also something I want to do as I know music and arts in general has great benefits in learning. I think the only way I could see technology getting the way of learning is if students don't understand their specific purpose in school. I had a iPad my last two years in high school and their was no definite rules of what I could and could not access on there while at school, so even if I was supposed to be doing homework on it if I didn't teachers didn't seem to care or redirect any of the students that were doing the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on advocating for the students and finding the necessary resources. I know there are ways teachers can ask for financial assistant from the community and others around the world using DonorsChoose.org, which I have donated to in the past. I just looked on there and one classroom is asking for a 2 iPads and another is taking donations for art supplies, which I love!
DeleteStudents not being more supervised while using their laptops at school has been an concern in my house this year. Both my daughters have laptops with them everyday and I have heard them talk more than once about playing games, or their friends playing games instead of focusing on the teachers instructions. If your seat is positioned where the teacher doesn't see your screen very often I imagine this could be a real issue and impede learning instead of enhancing it.
Thanks I've never heard about DonorsChoose.org but it looks like a great resource for teachers! I'm in blocks now and I'm at IPS 48 where they do have a computer lab and I know that the 5th and 6th graders all have access to personal laptops while in the classroom. I am not sure whether the younger students, K-4 have access to technology outside of the computer lab though.
DeleteHi everyone! I agree with you, there are ways to go above and beyond to ensure that education for all students is equitable for every student, especially in terms of technology. It is just unfortunate that teachers would even have to do that. It is disheartening that our educational system is so inequitable. Change needs to happen at a much higher level. Until it does, I think that is a great approach. I also agree that technology is beneficial in many ways in the classroom in general, particularity for emergent bilinguals. I like the idea of technology and the different ways in which it can be utilized for students to express what they have learned. It is like the Universal Design for Learning framework (https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/educational-strategies/universal-design-for-learning-what-it-is-and-how-it-works) and how it can really go beyond inclusion because estentially, there is something for everyone and someway for each student (no matter their background) to learn and express their learning and understanding.
DeleteI love that you mentioned Oregon Trail! That might be the only thing I remember from my 5th grade social studies! Ha! Kahoot! is also something that I utilize quite a bit in my classroom as well as quizlet.
ReplyDeleteI think that technology can have both a positive and negative impact on the classroom. I think some students (and adults for that matter!) have technology addictions that can impede their learning. Blocking softwares such as DyKnow have limited success in blocking students from going off task and doing thing like playing games or accessing social media during class time. I also like "Taking Notes in the 21st century" meme you put up. I think that it's great that students are quickly able to capture things with a screenshot. Some students struggle to take notes and comprehend what is being said at the same time. This helps them access the information presented in class. However, I believe that for many the process of taking notes helps them understand and remember information. I guess what I'm trying to say is that technology is great if used mindfully but can be a distraction if not.
I completely agree! Technology comes with both pros and cons. In the readings and in Amanda's post it references technology as a way to be accessible to all students. There are so many tools available to us in the classroom.
DeleteRebeccah, I never through of taking pictures of the notes as helpful, but you make a very good point. That might be helpful for students who need to look back at the exact thing that was posted. Another thing that some teachers use at my school during writing conferences is recording the conversation you have with the student about their paper. That way, if they miss something they can listen back to the recording. However, it is also proven to be better to take hand written notes. Students typically recall information better from written note taking.
There are definitely pros and cons to technology, and like you said it is good to be mindful when using technology.
Rebeccah, you can obviously see I DO NOT have an addition to technology based upon my post alone. Haha! I think this was a good thing for me to research though because my mind doesn't immediately turn to technology for answers the way kids do today. This has shown me that technology (there better be a large amount of teacher training), can really be a useful tool if used correctly. My friend has iPads in her classroom and I asked her yesterday how she makes sure the kids are staying on task??? She said she can see what they are doing on her computer and disables their iPad if she sees them doing something they shouldn't be. I bet that makes for some paranoid middle schoolers!
DeleteI find this entire discussion about using technology in the classroom exciting; however, I see what you mean about making sure everyone has access to it. I remember being in a classroom with students who had a difficult time finding writing utensils, so I could not imagine asking them to produce work on computers. Grassroots efforts to produce funding have worked, as have getting grants, but obtaining funds for those resources ultimately falls on the instructor, in an elementary school. Am I correct in assuming this?
ReplyDeleteHere is a fabulous resource that I would love to use if I were a K-8 educator:
https://learn.outofedenwalk.com/
Out of Eden is a FREE resource for educators and students to collaborate with educators and students around the world. I know Zionsville schools use this resource, and I am wondering if anyone else has heard about it.
I think middle school and up most of the computers are supplied to the students for a fee, unless they provide their own. I know Lebanon only lets the high schoolers use Apple computers that they provide and the fee is included in book rental fees. I think some elementary schools have gotten grants for iPads and Chromebooks and that's fantastic, but many schools still only have a few per classroom. The teachers I've talked to who only have two or three feel like the kids don't get a lot of educational opportunities from them because their time is so limited in order for all the students to have turns throughout the week. I do see a lot of elementary teachers asking for help to purchase iPads and Chromebooks on donorschoose.org so I'm assuming for a lot of elementary teachers the funding does still fall on their shoulders.
DeleteI just looked up Out of Eden and it looks like a great resource!
I think that technology is great for the classroom! My high school did B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Device). If you didn't have your own device, you could rent a laptop for the year. I loved this transition because my teachers started utilizing really interactive and engaging resources in the classroom. For example, Desmos, this is an online graphing calculator that we used in math. It was extremely easy to use and allowed me to understand Pre-Calc. so much more. Then, a few of my teachers began to use Kahoot! This was really fun for me because this was a great way to make sure I was actually retaining the information that I was learning in class. Finally, I think that technology can be a major distraction in the classroom. However, if teachers are checking to make sure that students are on task then I don't think it would be a huge issue. I know that my teachers didn't allow phones out in class. So, that was a good way to make sure that students stayed on task!
ReplyDeleteHey Taylor! I think that is great you had that experience in high school. At my high school we were not allowed to use our own technology. In class or out of class. We didn't have laptops available to use either. But I honestly think my school could of benefited from using technology. Instead of being a distraction I think it would of encourage more engagement in class and provided more resources and learning styles that was much needed. And it would of helped students who needed time on devices since having phones out at lunch or passing periods was a no go
DeleteTechnology in the classroom (technology in general) is a blessing and a curse! But, mostly a blessing. It can definitely be used to enhance educational practices, but on the contrary it can be used as a textbook replacement. One of the favorite tech tools I've encountered is called SnapRead. Although when I used it I did not have any ELL's in class, I believe it could be a great tool for them in their language journey. With the click of a button, SnapRead scans an entire webpage and offers synonyms for complex words that students can toggle on/off. It was a great tool for my government classes that relied on primary sources with old english language. I also think having students use technology to create things such as videos, blogs, timelines, etc. are a great tool to enhance engagement.
ReplyDeleteHi there!
ReplyDeleteUsing technology in the classroom especially to support English language learners can have a huge positive influence. Something I haven't thought about is as a teacher, it could be beneficial for if the student is having a hard time explaining something, the teacher could use a translator. Technology has definitely come a long way as something that is beneficial for classrooms. Your question of "Do you think technology (e.g. computers, phones, tablets, etc..) have negative influences on education?" I don't think so. I currently teach Third grade. I have been purposeful in teaching them how to Google things related to history (i.e. Black History Month). They understand how to use the microphone in order to ask questions they need answers to. I have taught them how to type and send me assignments through Google docs. With ILEARN (formally ISTEP) coming up, I wanted to make sure they were comfortable typing and reading passages on their chromebooks.
I do think there is such a thing as overusing technology. I don't allow my students to use their chromebooks for games unless it's a special day and they are able to get on abcya.com or coolmathgames.com. We use a reading site called Lexia in my district and by now, they are used to how Lexia operates. The most amount of times they are on Lexia is 30 minutes per day.
I think it would be cool to incorporate phones into the classroom if I were a highschool teacher. Since most of the students already have a cellphone, it would be interesting to incorporate them in the classroom as also a learning device.
Aleshia, I had never thought of it that way - technology having negative influences on education vs. the overuse of technology. That is a good point. Have you taught in environments where technology wasn't used as much and if so, did you notice a difference in regards to learning outcomes?
DeleteI have always been unsure of technology. Being an ECE major im not a fan of young children using it. But, I see the positive impact especially with older students. I took a technology in schools course and it focused on creating a balance with it. And that there should be a policy to go along with it so devices are not used inappropriately. Like allowing free time (brain breaks) on their devices so it will not be done in a non-disruptive way. Walking around the room to make sure students are staying on task with their devices or seating arrangements to let the teacher be more cautious of what students are doing on the device. For this course my class also took a tour at our professor’s school that he worked at. It was a technology based school and it was not all just computers, tablets, or white boards.These students were able to learn about the technology they were using. I remember seeing students take a part a desk top computer and repairing devices. Getting a new perspective about it is what definitely changed my mind. It can be used in different ways and still support students needs.
ReplyDelete1. First, let me start off by saying great blog Amanda. I believe the only way to address the inequities that exist regarding access to technology for everyone wold be to remain mindful of assigning assignments that don't include technology due the fact that not all students having internet access at home. As a teacher, I wouldn't want to single out the students who do not have home internet access. This will cause the student to become disengaged with completing assignments at school and at home.
ReplyDelete2. I think a great way to use technology in the classroom with both English speakers and emergent bilinguals that would be valuable for students would be to allow students to work through particular computer applications that would incorporate learning. Also, another way would be to find ways to include visual aids, such as, movies and believe it or not, YouTube videos. As long as teachers don't overuse YouTube, it can be a valuable resource.
3. I feel strongly that technology has a negative influences on education because it causes students to become locked in on only using technology to learn. When there aren't certain technological tools available, the student becomes flustered and shuts down and becomes closed to learning new things without the help or use of technology and technological tools.