I think technology is a great way to engage students in the classroom. There are so many websites and applications that can be used to supplement lessons. However, I think that clear rules regarding technology need to be set so that students know what is appropriate use and what is not. There is no doubt that most children are intrigued by technology, but finding the right balance between traditional ways of teaching and incorporating technology is the challenge. From my experiences in schools, I have noticed that technology can sometimes be used as a reward instead of a tool for learning. When we use technology as a reward, it takes away the power of technology as a learning tool. Yes, technology is fun and it is a privilege; however, if computers or tablets are in the classroom, they should be used by all students and not just those who have finished their work early. There have been too many times where I have seen "difficult" students being denied the use of the classroom computer because they were not behaving the way the teacher wanted them to. I do not believe that this is a good use of technology. As a counsellor, I have researched a number of different applications that can be utilized with students in addition to talk therapy. I can certainly see myself using these applications with clients to solidify and practice their learning. In my practicum classroom, my sponsor teacher uses technology quite a bit. We find videos online to help them learn their letter sounds, and we also use the GoNoodle application for brain breaks. When we use this type of technology with the kids, they seem to absorb the information better, while having fun doing it. Technology adds variety to the day. I think it is a great way to keep students focused, and it can also help provide them with a different perspective.
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