Technology is rapidly changing how students learn, how they communicate, how they interact with the world, and how they work, yet schools are lagging behind in implementing technology in the classroom. Schools are not only struggling to keep up, but they also frequently focus on the possible misuse and abuse of digital communication and collaboration, such as bullying and plagiarism. How can teachers help students become responsible digital citizens? If teachers use digital communication in the classroom, they help students develop the workforce skills and industry-standard software proficiency they need to succeed in higher education or on the job. The use of digital communication and collaboration technology, often referred to as Web 2.0 technology, is well documented as an important learning tool for students of all ages (Richardson, 2006).
Here are some of the Digital Communication tools that can be used in the classroom:
- Video Conferencing
- Instant Messaging
- Text Messaging
- Blogs
- Wikis
Here are some examples of inappropriate digital communication
- Students use text messaging to cheat on test
- Students don’t use correct English when using instant messaging
Here are some examples of appropriate digital communication
- Blogging to discuss classroom topics
- Blogging to contact parents of class activities
- Instant messaging for students to communicate with teacher and classmates about assignments
- Video conferencing to bring teach outside of the classroom
Reference:
Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Tools for
Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press
Digital communication, while having its negatives, is a great addition to the classroom. As in all things in education, there can always be negatives found. Focusing on cell phones, a great paper written by James E. Katz discusses "mobile communication technologies in educational settings, especially mobile-phone use in schools". The paper focuses on mobile phone usage and how it can be beneficial in a classroom setting and how to control it.
ReplyDeleteCell phones can be of use in the classroom, but I definitely feel there is an age in which they should be accepted and an age when they stay in the backpacks for emergencies and calling their parents after school. Many online websites, like poll everywhere give the option of using cell phones to poll in, and when the school districts or campuses are not on a one-to-one technology basis, this could be useful.
Problems lie, however, when not all students have cell phones. As said previously, negative and positives... it's always important to weigh the differences and see what works best for your classroom.
Katz, James E (No Date). Mobile Phones in Education Settings. Retrieved from http://cmcs.rutgers.edu/publications/articles/mobile%20phones%20in%20educational%20settings.pdf and discusses
YES! YES! YES!
ReplyDeleteDigital communication is great in the classroom. I use Skype to communicate with our district directors. They ask my kids questions to sum up the unit of study. They also ask challenging questions that help with stimulating their thoughts to our next project. It has been an amazing transformation in my classroom. The kids love it!
The students also have the option of instant messaging me, skyping me or video conferencing me after school, for help with homework, projects or any other questions. This has also been a great tool for my parents to use also if they are unclear about anything.
I really think that digital communication in key in a classroom. I have found an article about using Skype to communicating with authors. I suggest that you look at it because it gives you another idea about how to use Skype in the classroom.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/886352-427/an_author_in_every_classroom.html.csp
Messner, K. (2010) An Author in Every Classroom: Kids Connecting with Authors via Skype: It's the next Best Thing to Being There. School Library Journal. 56 (9). pg 42-44. Available: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/886352-427/an_author_in_every_classroom.html.csp
I love the idea of adding these different digital communication tools into the classroom! I agree that we do need to teach our students the proper way to interact with them and by allowing them a chance to do that in a situation where they are monitored by a teacher is great!I did one of my first blogs on the use of Skype in the classroom. I think it is a great tool that we do not see as being educational. In an article I found by Annie Condron, she talks about using Skype to have authors visit classrooms.She shares about an author who skypes with a classroom where the students are able to ask about why he wrote the book he did and why he chose the pictures he did (Condron,2011). Imagine the possibilities! If we could have famous authors, scientists and other influential people talk and interact with our students through the use of such a simple tool the possibilites for learning are endless. The students would have a chance to ask their own thought provoking questions and get the answers from the soruce themselves. The possiblities for learning and further investigation open up through the use of a tool we already have: technology.
ReplyDeleteCondron, A. (2011). News, Recommendations and Resources. Retrieved 12 9, 2011, from Teach Hub: http://www.teachhub.com/using-skype-classroom
Today's workforce is expected to be highly educated and to continually improve skills and acquire new ones by engaging in lifelong learning. E-learning here defined as learning and teaching online through network technologies, is arguably one of the most powerful responses to the growing need for education. Some research have expressed concern about the learning outcomes for e-learners, but a review of studies reveal no significant differences in learning outcomes between traditional and e-learning modes of delivery (Russell, 2001).
ReplyDeleteRussell, T. L. (2001). The No Significant Difference Phenomenon. Montgomery, AL: International Distance Education Certification Center.