Media (is) the message?
Is the medium truly the message?
In my opinion I feel that no, we (educators) should be able to use different mediums
to deliver the instruction or message we are sharing or teaching. I feel there is much emphasis in trying to incorporate
technology into our lessons that sometimes the reason of why we are using it,
it tends to get lost along the way. Eric Sheninger mentioned, "schools are
going all in with 1:1 or BYOD initiatives with no real plan for implementation
and evaluation of effectiveness" (Sheninger 2015). I think just because we provide students with
an iPad it does not guarantee student success.
I feel that technology can have a great impact on how students learn,
but it has to be planned and always with an intention in mind. We should do research before we implement apps
or websites into our instruction. We
should never assume that all students could use the new technology. Yes, some students tend to be able to use
them, but thinking that all of them is a big misconception, many educators tend
to do. We should also teach our students about making
smart ethical decisions while using technology. So is the medium truly the message, again no,
in my humble opinion because we educators should decide what medium to deliver
the message or instruction.
How you see your role as a school librarian to support student and
teacher learning?
We librarians wear many various different hats, and one important
component in us being successful while using all of them should be student
learning. As librarians, we must empower
our staff members as well. We should
offer to train our teachers with the most current and new technology
gadgets. In doing this, we are also
being trailblazers in recommending new ways in how to incorporate technology
into their classroom instruction. As librarian/media
specialist at our campus, we should not be scared about trying new technology. We should be advocates and serve as an
example in how much fun integrating technology can really be. I feel that in providing staff members with
information regarding literacy, research skills and different ways will allow
our students to become independent learners and develop 21st century
learners. If we provide staff members
with these skills, we will ensure students to become critical thinkers while also
enjoy reading.
How can you use technology to teach and learn?
I feel that technology can be a powerful and useful teaching
learning tool if used appropriately to meet the student’s needs. Technology for
me like for example in my educational experience plays a big factor in me
achieving my Master’s Degree. I am able
to complete my degree online and therefore I will be graduating with my Master’s
Degree in Library Science. Honestly, if
it had not been for it being online I would not have been able to get my
degree. Therefore, technology if used
appropriately can be a great powerful and useful opportunity for student
learning to occur, in my opinion.
Where do we need to go in terms of how librarians support this vision?
I feel that libraries are not no more just viewed as buildings
with books, but rather as a resourceful place to locate different resources. The days when the librarian was only sitting
behind her desk are far from gone. I feel that we librarians can support curriculum
while promote literacy development and foster lifelong readers. If allowed we can offer a great wealth of
educational resources that will allow students to become 21st
century ready. Libraries offer various online
databases, eBooks, audiobooks, online catalogs, research tools and websites that
can be great resources to all. This past
year was my first library position and I was able to incorporate into my
lessons technology centers that include Osmo kits, Makey makey, Dash and Dot,
LittleBits and Ozobots. These tools
were great resources that will prepare our students for their future
educational endeavors.
What blocks you see that will hinder the adoption of technology in
education?
I feel that one of the biggest factors would be the lack of
funding. I think it is very difficult to
stay up-to-date with all latest technology when there is no money. I am not in any way trying to make excuses
because I feel when you really want something you find a way to get it. Like for example, all the technology gadgets mentioned
earlier, they were additions to the library with Donor’s Choose grants, so
there is always a way to get things done if needed. However, when you get a very small school
budget it is very difficult to purchase new devices or gadgets for the
library. I also think that another factor that could
hinder the adoption of technology in the library or education would be the lack
of support from administrators. It is
sad when some administrators do not appreciate technology and therefore do not
see the great impact that they can have on student success.
References:
Sheninger, E. (2015, April 26). Why Pedagogy First, Tech
Second Stance is Key to the Future. EdTech.
Narda, I agree that funding and lack of support from admin will hinder the adoption of technology. This is why it is important for librarians to be advocates and constantly push for the students so that they can have access to the technologies that can make learning powerful.
ReplyDeleteNarda,
ReplyDeleteI agree just because we provide iPads or other sources of technology to students, that will not guarantee student success. It's not the technology that is teaching it is the teacher. Technology helps extend the lesson, it's not the lesson itself. Great Job!
I think the reality is that even though technology is becoming a big part of the education system, some professionals are just seeing it as a solution to their problems and rely heavily on it to raise student success. Instead of this mindset, what professionals should do is use technology to reinforce their lesson, while students use technology to express and show their understanding of the lesson. To ensure that this takes place, the librarian should provide workshops and sessions that will not only introduce the educator to technology, but also assist them in creating an effective lesson that utilizes technology as a supporting tool.
ReplyDeleteNada,
ReplyDeleteI agree, media is not the message. We are not there to teach students how to use an iPad, but we are there to teach students about the hero's journey archetype and how it applies to many of the novels we read. In turn, our students can use an iPad to create a graphic novel depicting a hero's journey. The foundation for learning must be in place, but technology is an added bonus that helps keeps students engaged in the learning process.