Self-Reflection (1): The SMART Board’s Power
Throughout my academic career, I have come across a myriad amount of technologies that promote learning in innovative ways. In particular, one technological innovation that continues to have my attention and play a pivotal role in digital pedagogy is the SMART Board. According to Collins Dictionary a SMART Board is “a line of interactive whiteboard that uses touch detection for user input in the same way as PC input devices.” To put it another way, a SMART Board is an interactive whiteboard that has a vast array of functions and can enhance a student’s learning. Like whiteboards/ dry-erase boards, SMART Boards come equipped with SMART Pens (black, red, green, blue) and a SMART Eraser.
A SMART Board is a unique technological tool used in the classroom. In my experience, as a student and a future academic I have seen what a SMART Board is capable of achieving. In other words, the SMART Board gets students ready to learn as well as keep them engaged throughout the lecture. SMART Boards are not limited in scope. For example, a kindergartner to a college student can use it. Because of this innovative technology, it introduces students to multimedia technology at an early age.
In a 2006 article entitled “Interactive Whiteboards and Learning” by SMART Technologies Inc, it examines the usage of interactive whiteboards in the classroom environment. Focusing on the benefits on SMART Board integration and technology praxis in the classroom, the article claims the greatest obstacle with technology implementation is “Getting students to remain task-focused is difficult is difficult in an age where young people are inundated with consumer technologies” (7). Establishing the SMART Board as a learning tool, the article points out “interactive whiteboards are garnering enthusiasm and providing additional motivation for students to attend class. More than diverting a gadget or game, interactive whiteboards successfully promote the computer skills students require for success in the 21st century” (7). Besides building a student’s skill in technology, the student can grow their problem solving and critical thinking skills which will only benefit them in the long run.
Reinforcing the learning theories of constructivism, whole-class teaching, and and active learning SMART Technologies Inc articulates “interactive whiteboards promote student engagement. Educators can use digital resources while maintaining dynamic interaction with entire class, provide computer-based learning without isolating students and encourage a higher level of student interaction in both teacher-directed and group exchanges” (5). Here, we see how the SMART Board bring all students together to learn. As a student, I have seen in a number of my classes how the SMART Board was being used to promote learning. For example, in my tenth grade Geometry class the teacher would make us go up one by one to the SMART Board to solve for the slope. Once that was finished the teacher gave us a coordinates to plot on the 3D Graph. At first I was sort of a novice to go up and solve the questions because I did not want to “break” the SMART Board but after I figured it out by close observation of my teacher I always looked forward to going up to solve the questions. The SMART Board had so many animations that made the learning immersive. It made me understand Geometry better that year for some reason When compared to a basic blackboard/chalk board, I prefer the SMART Board one hundred percent.
As a future teacher in the twenty-first century, I will definitely use the SMART Board in my classroom. Since I want to teach English Language Arts (ELA), I will create games, activities, presentations, slideshow as well as videos that will tap into the functions of the SMART Board. Furthermore, when I become a professor in early modern literature I will have my students come up to the board and pinpoint elements that are related to Cultural studies as well as any literary devices that are worth mentioning. Together my students can lead a discussion and make us think about our literary text in a different way. Thus, it will encourage my students to share their own annotations about a primary text. These activities will allow my students to see each other as colleagues and as fellow collaborators instead of individuals enrolled in the same course. Everyone can bring something fresh and new to table. Ultimately, the SMART Board is a step in the right direction.
References:
“Definition of Smart Board | New Word Suggestion | Collins Dictionary.” Definition of Smart Board | New Word Suggestion | Collins Dictionary. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2019.
Technologies, SMART Inc. “Interactive Whiteboards and Learning: Improving student learning outcomes and streamlining lesson planning.” 2006. PDF file.
Self-Reflection (2): Digital Tablets in the Classroom
As we move into the modern era of teaching, there are a number of technological innovations and tools that should be implemented in the classroom. In my previous self-reflection I discussed how SMART Boards are becoming the new norm in digital pedagogy. Another technological innovation and tool should be implemented in all classrooms across all grade levels is the digital tablet.
Loosely defined by Technopedia a tablet is a “wireless touch screen personal computer (PC) that is smaller than a notebook but larger than a smartphone. Modern tablets are built with wireless internet or local area networks (LAN) a variety of software applications, including business applications, Web browsers and games.” For example, a Amazon Fire HD 8, and Apple Ipad is considered a tablet. Tablets are becoming increasingly popular in the field of academia. Instead of recreational and entertainment, a tablet encourages students to think outside the box, explore, and express their creativity in multiple ways. In addition, builds a student’s critical thinking and problem solving skills. According to the article “3M Teams with Digital Wish To Help Bring Tablets into the Classroom” it conveys that “the use of tablets in classrooms may help students score better in math and literacy tests, with one group of students testing 20 percent higher using an Algebra app than their peers who used a textbook.” This is a very complex claim to make but it reveals how the tablet implementation in the classroom can wield many benefits. More importantly, the tablet builds upon a student’s knowledge in technology and can incorporate different pedagogical practices. Equally important, it gives the student the opportunity the knowledge to better equipped in the 21st century job market. Employers across the board are looking for potential employees who can demonstrate tech-savviness because it will help their company grow and flourish.
In my experience, I sometimes am caught off guard about how powerful the technology is and how technology continues to rapidly evolve. Part of the challenge is just to keep up with all these new developments and learning how these applications work. However, I realized it is not about being well-versed in every application out there but rather how I can use the applications on the tablet in instruction and assessment.In addition, how these applications can make me a better and more effective teacher. In college classrooms, and some elementary/ middle and high schools students are using tablets to take notes, record lectures, or simply do on the spot research the tablet is very prominent. The days of lugging around a heavy laptop or going to a specific computer lab is over. It is also worth mentioning the Smartphones we carry can be considered a mini “tablet” because they perform very similar. For example, before purchasing an Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet I would use my Smartphone as my note-taking device and even do some assignments on it whenever my laptop and desktop were acting up. It is clear that the tablet is a technological innovation and tool that can foster all types of learning.
As a future educator, I plan on using tablets in my classroom. It will make students feel involved and engaged. It will keep their fingers busy instead of texting and being on social media. My assignments will be literary, critical, interdisciplinary and most of all digital. After all, one of my academic interests include the digital humanities. Click here to for a frequently asked question (FAQ) I did a few years about the field of Digital Humanities.
References:
“3M Teams with Digital Wish to Help Bring Tablets into the Classroom.” Manufacturing Close – Up (2012)ProQuest. Web. 24 Apr. 2019.
“What Is a Tablet? – Definition from Techopedia.” Techopedia.com, www.techopedia.com/definition/2353/tablet.
Self-Reflection (3): Kahoot
The term “Kahoot” can throw anyone for a loop. In other words, the term Kahoot can cause puzzle anyone for who do not what it means. In simple layman’s terms Kahoot is a learning and digital platform used for educational technology. One can think of Kahoot as an academic video game that utilizes the testing strategy of multiple choice.
In terms of formative assessment Kahoot is a highly effective educational technology tool. According to the article “Let’s Kahoot! Anatomy by Nafiye Cigdem Aktekin, Hatice Celebi, Mustafa Aktekin, they state “Kahoot! creates quizzes made from a series of multiple choice questions and allows adding multimedia instruments (videos, pictures, diagram, etc.) to the questions to strengthen engagement. Kahoot! also enables users to prepare surveys and offers a platform for discussion” (718). Based off this, we can see how Kahoot could possibly be one of the best and innovative technologies introduced in the classroom.
Kahoot has been a very worthwhile experience and I am glad I was introduced to it. In high school I remember my teacher would use it to prepare us for the Global and US History & Government and Regents Exams. My teacher would use concoct quizzes on Kahoot. In addition, we would have game show competitions on Kahoot which was always a “fun” time. As I reflect on my experience, I can see why my teacher made us use Kahoot. It made students motivated to learn and participate in class which is an integral factor in the learning process. Aketin’s articles confirms “Such activities may also help the teacher to enhance the content of the current and further sessions to maintain course momentum as well as serving as an assessment tool” (718). Through this we can see how Kahoot make learning an enjoyable experience for students.
I will definitely be using Kahoot in my twenty-first century classroom. In my opinion, I believe students will be excited to get their hands on this technological innovation and program. It takes away the laborious process of making photo copies, typing up/ distributing exams. Moreover, it makes the students look forward to class. Most old-fashioned and luddite teachers might think this is not how a student should “learn” or “be assessed”. But I can argue, Kahoot takes away examination anxiety and the pencil biting moments that plague the lives of all students in academia. I will use Kahoot as one of the components when it comes to my grading but will be considered a low-stake assignment.
Reference:
Aktekin, N. C. Celebi, H. C. & Aktekin, M. (2018). Let’s Kahoot! Anatomy. International Journal of Morphology, 36(2), 716-721.
