Week 1 - Sophie Duncan

Where do you stand at present on using new technologies in the English classroom?



In our increasingly digital society, technology is becoming an extremely popular resource within the classroom. Computers were used in schools when I was a pupil, and I found it highly beneficial as it taught me useful ICT skills, which I use in everyday life. For this reason, I think it is important for pupils to be introduced to technology from an early age, as it will be just as significant in their future lives. ‘Future generations will need to compete with the growing trends of a technologically-driven society…the classroom is a good starting point for people to learn how to use these complex machines’ Friedman, K (2013).



Many jobs require ICT skills and children should be given the advantage of starting to learn them early on. I also think that pupils would be excited at the opportunity to use new technology, as children find interactive media such as iPads engaging and, if used appropriately, they can enhance learning experiences.



Smart boards are definitely a huge advantage in the classroom; I have seen these used in many classrooms, and they enable the teacher to create presentations which captivate the class and also allow the children to learn in a hands-on way; for example, in a Reception class that I worked with, the teacher used the smart board in an English lesson which included interactive activities that the children could work on as a whole class.


In the case of using iPads in school, I was unsure about the benefit this would have on pupils, but after reading an article in The Guardian, I can see that there are many activities and learning experiences children can gain from them, such as the ‘Creative Book Builder’. David Andrews (2012) claims that they ‘can be used across the curriculum to engage, motivate and inspire childrens’ learning in the classroom’. They are also used so frequently by children and therefore could be seen as good resources to have, given that they already have the knowledge to operate them. It does, however, seem a shame that technology is taking over so rapidly; I think that there needs to be a balance in the classroom, as if it progresses too much, children will no longer be able to write!



Bibliography


Andrews, D . (2012). An Apple for the teacher: are iPads the future in class?. Available: http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2012/aug/13/schools-secondary-schools. Last accessed 28th Sept 2014.


Friedman, K . (2013). The Benefits of Computers in the Classroom . Available: http://www.pc-wholesale.com/articles-the-benefits-of-computers-in-the-classroom.html. Last accessed 28th Sept 2014.