There are countless reasons why any teacher would want to get rid of a paper based classroom and move towards an electronically based one. After a school year of relying on paper assignments, projects, and essays, I made the decision to switch to classroom that is about 85% paperless this year. Below are a jsut few things that I noted during the course of this past semester:
Pros
Cons (Turned Pros ...)
I have heard it all this semester, and I was expecting to. Integrating new technologies is a learning curve for both the teacher and the students. For years, my students have sat down in front of a teacher, been handed a worksheet, were lectured to, and then were told to fill out that worksheet for a grade. This method of teaching is incorrect on many levels, but rather than get into that now, I will say that to help change this idea of education, I changed how my students were learning. These new methods however, took time for my students to adapt to. I could have taken the easy way out and stuck to worksheets, but what good would that have done for my students? Instead, I chose to take a different path with my students, and after a few hurdles, it is proving beneficial.
As I move into second semester, starting Feb 1st, please follow my blog and Twitter @hurstcor as i continue to progress with my paperless and tech integrated classroom. Please stay turned for other future posts about my experiences in the world of education!
Pros
- Flexibility and a Weight off My Shoulders (Literally)
- Instant Feedback
- Engagement and Interaction in a Unique and Exciting Way
Cons (Turned Pros ...)
- Change is Harder for the Students than it is for Me
I have heard it all this semester, and I was expecting to. Integrating new technologies is a learning curve for both the teacher and the students. For years, my students have sat down in front of a teacher, been handed a worksheet, were lectured to, and then were told to fill out that worksheet for a grade. This method of teaching is incorrect on many levels, but rather than get into that now, I will say that to help change this idea of education, I changed how my students were learning. These new methods however, took time for my students to adapt to. I could have taken the easy way out and stuck to worksheets, but what good would that have done for my students? Instead, I chose to take a different path with my students, and after a few hurdles, it is proving beneficial.
- Technological Infrastructure Isn't Always What I Wish it Was
- Technology Isn't Always Perfect ... Duh!
As I move into second semester, starting Feb 1st, please follow my blog and Twitter @hurstcor as i continue to progress with my paperless and tech integrated classroom. Please stay turned for other future posts about my experiences in the world of education!