The development of mobile technology is an inevitable future within
education. With its growing participation within pedagogy children are focusing
less upon more valuable skills. Although studies are continuously showing the
importance of using mobile technology (Domingo and Garganté, 2016) they are
also demonstrating the negative impact upon writing abilities. 68% of teachers
within one study stated that “digital tools make students more likely to take
shortcuts and not put effort into their writing”. (Purcell. et al. 2013)
Although technology may be a growing part of society, teachers are still
a vital part of pedagogy to ensure the development of basic skills.
Domingo, M.G. and Garganté, A.B. (2016) ‘Exploring the use of educational technology in primary education: Teachers“ perception of mobile technology learning impacts and applications” use in the classroom’, Computers in Human Behavior, 56(1), pp. 21–28. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.023.
Domingo, M.G. and Garganté, A.B. (2016) ‘Exploring the use of educational technology in primary education: Teachers“ perception of mobile technology learning impacts and applications” use in the classroom’, Computers in Human Behavior, 56(1), pp. 21–28. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.023.
Purcell. K, Buchanan. J, and Friedrich. L. (2013) The impact of digital tools on student writing and how writing is
taught in schools. Washington: Pew Research Center
Wouldn’t the idea of technology being used to take shortcuts be a good thing? In many schools, children are given scientific calculators to help them with complicated Mathematics equations. Children are allowed dictionaries in English classes to help spell words or form sentences. While these can be classed as shortcuts they are still acceptable within academia.
ReplyDeleteA study, lead by Hannelore Montrieux, of Ghent University, Belgium, noted that students who were given tablets and other forms of mobile technology, found them more enriching and interactive, and beneficial towards their studies (Montrieux et al, 2015).
Similarly, the Teachers reported that the advantages of the technology allowed for a more learning centred approach, and how they would adopt their learning styles to take advantage of the technology (Montrieux et al, 2015).
Montrieux, H., Vanderlinde, R., Schellens, T., & De Marez, L. (2015). Teaching and learning with mobile technology: A qualitative explorative study about the introduction of tablet devices in secondary education. PLoS ONE, 10(12).
I agree that the use of mobile technology can be beneficial, however the focus on simple skills like handwriting are being overlooked. Studies have shown that handwriting improves a student’s ability to transform ideas into multi word sentences whilst also improving their reading abilities. (An Educational Summit. 2014)
ReplyDeleteBy not teaching handwriting we are not only reducing this but encouraging a completely reliance on technology as opposed to having a back-up system in place.
An Educational Summit. (2014) Handwriting in the 21st Century: Research Shows Why Handwriting Belongs in Today’s Society. USA: Saperstein Associates
I agree with Christopher as mobile technology increases the engagement and motivation of students within a classroom setting. Taking away the use of mobile technology would be returning to a former pedagogical technique which has clearly been developed. Numerous studies have clearly identified the beneficial impacts, one study identified that students were "more motivated when using tablet or computers for study." This reiterates the importance of mobile technology within the education sector.
ReplyDeleteWilkinsons, R and Lancaster, T. (2014) Improving Students Motivation Using Technology Within the STEM Disciplines. England: The Higher Education Academy.
Again I agree that it can be used to motivate a lesson and encourage interaction. However there are numerous studies that have identified “ICT was largely being used for ICT’s sake”, (Bertram and Waldrip. 2013) rather than for any convincing or meaningful pedagogical purpose. Whilst ICT can be beneficial to students and their learning, as practitioners we need to provide a healthy balance between using technology and mainstream methods of teaching.
ReplyDeleteBertram, A. and Waldrip, B. (2013). ‘ICT for ICT’s sake: Secondary teachers’ views on technology as a tool for teaching and learning.’ Australian Educational Computing, 28(1). Pp 1 - 4