The Outcome
Throughout my final practicum, I worked hard to use technology in many different ways within and outside the classroom. I was always amazed at the ways that technology could enhance the education experience for students. Sometimes it wasn't about the curricular outcomes they were meeting, but the excitement they got when using an activity. Sometimes the technology didn't do everything I wanted it to do ; but it gave an experience that the students would remember. Of all the articles I read researching for this project, it became increasingly apparent to me that technology in education isn't something that should be shyed away from because it can provide profound benefits for the students. Some of the benefits I have experienced during my PSIII practicum are found below.
Increased Motivation and Self Esteem
"The computer has been an empowering tool to the students. They have a voice and it's not in any way secondary to anybody else's voice. It's an equal voice. So that's incredibly positive. Motivation to use technology is very high"
Improved Technical Skills
Students, even at the elementary school level, were able to acquire an impressive level of skill with a broad range of computer software such as google docs, google classroom, read-write, virtual simulations. Although the specific software tools in use will likely change before these students enter the world of work, the students acquire a basic understanding of how various classes of computer tools behave and a confidence about being able to learn to use new tools that will support their learning of new software applications.
Accomplishment of More Complex Tasks
"Sometimes when I use paper assignments, they seem so long to me. When I am able to use the chromebook to do work, it makes time pass faster and I can stay concentrated on just the computer screen. I can also take the chromebook somewhere else and work on the project. " -- grade 8 student
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"if I get stuck, I can use the internet to help me find the answer" --- grade 9 student
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More Collaboration with Peers
"I've also seen kids helping each other a lot at the computer. The ones that pick it up faster, they love teaching it to someone that doesn't know it yet"
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"It's a much more facilitating atmosphere because the kids help each other so much on the computer. It changes the style and the tone of the classroom a lot"