In my opinion, technology, is not always "My Friend." Last Thursday, I actually had a positive experience with technology, when I gave I-pads to my Third grade Reading group and had them record themselves reading a short story. The students were instructed to record themselves reading the story, listen to the recording, and "grade" themselves on their rate, fluency, and expression. All of my students enjoyed recording and listening to themselves read. They asked me if they could do that each week. It was a great way for them to hear themselves read and for me to keep a record of their reading; so that, I could go back and hear their improvement over time. This idea made the class more enjoyable for the students and made them want to participate more.
I have had a negative experience with technology lately. Over the last couple of weeks of school, my document reader attached to my smart board, has been flaky. It does not work when I need it to work and it makes my classroom instruction plans to be adjusted. I often like to show documents for my younger classes on the smart board; in order, to help them better understand the lesson being taught. I now have to waste class time or planning time, trying to "fix" the document reader by turning the machine off/on; resetting my computer, or just foregoing its use all together. I have an older reader and the school does not have extra ones for swap out, nor does it have it in the budget to upgrade the older readers. Just plain frustrating!
Hi Diane! When the students used the iPads to record themselves reading were they able to access the other students? I think that would be a fun way to connect the class but great idea nonetheless!
ReplyDeleteWhen the technology goes a little bonkers does it take the class completely off course without any way back?
Taylor: Thank you for your comments. The students in my group are small in number and we share our recordings either with partners or the entire group. It depends on the time we have during our lesson. The students enjoy listening to themselves reading a story and gain feedback from their fellow peers on their rate, accuracy and fluency of the story being read. They can also check themselves and hear their strengths and weaknesses and are able to improve themselves with each lesson being taught.
DeleteWhen technology does not work properly during a lesson, it gets a little distracting for the class and makes the lesson a little more difficult to teach at times; depending on the concept being taught. I have to adjust my lesson and get the class back on track.