I feel quite amazed at those scenarios depicted in the article entitled "Distractions in the Wireless Classroom". I don't think they are just individual cases. Such kind of incidents are most likely to happen in every wireless classroom. In this case, modern technology in a sense acts like a double-edged sword. It may on the one hand faciliate teaching and learning in the classroom, while it may on the other hand cause distractions of varied forms, which will sure affect teachers' instructions and students' performances in a negative way.
As a matter of fact, I think most of us have experienced such unhappy happenings in the past, in one form or another. Maybe we can't help guffawing, for those scenarios simply remind us of the embarrassing situations in our own classrooms. We may have frowned at cell phones' ringing, text message clicking etc. When I was once giving my Phonetics class, I found quite a few students surfing the web for trival news items, playing games or chatting on line. I'm sure not a single responsible teacher will be happy and let it go unattended when they come across such happenings. Question then arises. What can we do to tackle this problem?
Of course, it's much more complex than simply shut off the wireless, which seems to lead nowhere but a dead end. Actually, I am fairly impressed by those words ocurring in the report---"If the entertainment doesn't come from the front of the wireless classroom, it comes from the Internet." which just poses a new task to us teachers. That is to say, we need to make our class as lively as possible so that the students may feel like to participate actively and cooperatively. Of course there is sure more than one way to get things back onto the right track. We can see some very good and practical suggestions put forward in the article. For example, set ground rules for wireless use in the classroom, establish laptop etiquette, adopt best practices for using wireless in teaching in such forms as instructing, interacting, and improving.
So far we may have realized that the point is how we can make the most of modern IT in the teaching and learning environment. It's up to you to make the choice. As a teacher, the way how we teach our students speaks loudest.
3 comments:
Dear Tang,
We share exactly the same opinion! Yes, modern technology is, to a certain extent, like a double-edged sword. But we don't have to be frightened by that. When problems arise, whatever of importance is to find a solution. It's so comforting that regardless of how good the technology is, there's still a need for a well-trained expert to be in front of the class and discuss the substantive areas of their field. We just need to establish some ground rules and help out students become more sensitive to classroom etiquette. And then, learn to be an expert!
I enjoy reading your post.It is clear and to the point.
I like the blog as well. It is clean, clear and concise, whatever in the content or in the format.
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