It’s OK To Play! February 27, 2008
Posted by Ed 831 Ken in Uncategorized.trackback
Dean Shareski indicated that using technology in the classroom does not always have a huge educational value, especially in the beginning. From my experiences, he is bang on. He also emphasized that this is ok. The evolution of technology is in constant motion. We will not get to the stage where technology is integrated effectively in classrooms unless we experience this play (experimentation) stage. We have to walk before we run. There were many bumps and bruises along the way (ouch!).
Ed 831 Ken
I agree Ken. Teachers need time to “play” with these new tools. They need to see the full value of these tools before they jump in. Taking this course allowed us to “jump-in,” now we see the benefits, I think others will soon follow.
I’ve learned how to play World of Warcraft from my youngest. Mind you, I’m not really all that interested in the game but the “playing” is what was important. I’ve just joined Twitter and I am now “playing” with that. This course has provided me the time to do that. Once we are done I know I will continue to explore new tools on the web. I don’t think I would have done it on my own. I use to view the time spent in front of the screen as a waste of time. That is no longer the case. I will walk away with a new PLC. Great stuff!!!
The challenge is that most teachers don’t see the value in play and also won’t devote the time because of curricular challenges and restraints. I understand this point of view and applaud Rosanne for her efforts.
That’s why we need a few brave and interested souls like Roseanne who will play on their own time. These are the ones that will be able to come back and find curricular applications. Ideally if they can bring the students along during the play, that would be great but that’s why I emphasize the selfish piece because it’s tough to always see technology fitting into our curricula. Part of this is a problem with the curriculum itself but it’s also the rapid change and impact of technology that forces us to pay attention and leverage these tools for learning.
I just about lost my marriage “playing” with technology when I first began teaching. Bought the same computer we had networked at school to “play” . Best P.D. I know. I developed relationships with others, joined a Mac Group with this guy named Rob (what was the name of that group again Rob?) and from there developed some long lasting friendships and continued P.D. experiences.
I think we the educators have to play around and give our students opportunities as well. I think teachers need to bypass their fear of messing up or not being able to use the technology and just go for it.
I think anyone experiencing new technology should have time to “play” with it. That is what I encourage the people I train to do, but like teachers, they don’t have time or are sometimes scared. I learned most of what I know about computers by pushing buttons and waiting to see what happened! Big idea #4 - have fun!!
It always seems like every time educators want to learn something, they need time, or they don’t have enough time? Maybe we just need to play more often and not worry so much about learning something! Just have Fun!
[...] to play Filed under: Education, Technology — danschellenberg @ 11:48 pm Ken Meredith recently wrote a post highlighting what Dean Shareski mentioned in his presentation to our ECI 831 class about early [...]
OK, I am going to disagree about the huge eduational value not taking place in the beginning. Whenever you have teachers willing and wanting to try new ways to improve student learning is that not improving the value of education? Teachers getting their hands dirty. Sounds inspiring to me. Let’s not be so hard on ourselves. We deserve some fun too!!
I think it is very valuable for our own PD to play. That is how we discover new tools, gain confidence and eventually develop pedagogical applications for the use of tech in our classrooms. We all grew up playing at home, with our favorite toys. The play was creative and encouraged our brains to make connections to the real world. Creating opportunities for play in our classroom engages students, maybe it doesn’t always match the curricular objectives, but it contributes to the overall learning. Play can break the ice and sets the foundation when learning new stuff, and later reinforces learning by puttingthe it into application.
I agree that teachers need to be given the chance to play, but so do students! Not every student touches a computer, goes to a website, and interacts with the content with success the first time. Students need to be given a chance to see what they are being asked to use and have a chance to “play” with the interface. Once everyone has developed a comfort level, learning is more likely to occur.