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*At the entry stage, teachers learn to master the new tools
themselves and begin to plan how to use them in their class rooms.
*At the adoption stage, teachers begin to blend technology into
their classroom practices, without making any significant changes to those practices.
*At the adaptation stage, the new technology becomes thoroughly
integrated into traditional classroom practices and teachers begin to see some real benefits in student learning and engagement.
* At the appropriation stage, the teachers understand technology,
uses it effortlessly in their own work and in the classroom, and
have difficulty imagining how they would function without it.
*At the invention stage, teachers experiment with new instructional
patterns and ways of relating to students and to other teachers
enabled by the technology, resulting in significant changes in their classroom practices and professional lives. (http://www.appleton.u69.k12.me.us/2003-04/i)
I remember when we bought our first home computer, the whole family gathered as we set it up and plugged it in. We all took turns trying to see what 'it does' and marveled at how fast we thought things happened on it. My kids played "Oregon Trail" and "Amazon Trail" and I must admit, I enjoyed sneaking on and playing the games myself. It was all so new and exciting!!
When I started working as an art teacher in our district, I did not have a computer. Our district had not entered the 'technology age' yet. Then one year, it ALL changed, we were getting laptops and suddenly we were going to be connected!!! We enjoyed computer classes in the summer, learning and then becoming teachers to the next groups passing on all that we had learned. Tech had arrived and tech was fun! Our tech team was small yet helpful, patient and ALWAYS available. I still remember Sunday morning house calls and midnight questions being answered on IM by our friend and tech expert Terri.
Ten years ago when technology came to our district, we were all beginners at the entry stage. Technology wasn't coming into all of our classrooms yet, but we were starting to learn new things and experiment. I think as a district we went into the adoption stage together because at that point, things were moving at a manageable pace. Soon all classrooms were equipped with SmartBoards. I was not entirely happy with this addition to my classroom! What was I going to do with a SmartBoard....that big thing that took up a third of my display space!!! I have to admit, I did not use it much at first and even though I have found ways to incorporate it into my lessons, it's not something I use everyday. I'm not sure I'm fully at the adaptation stage but I do see benefits of technology to student learning. In the art room, because I'm a VERY hands on teacher, I don't use laptops or iPads with my students. I do, however, use the Smart Board to enhance my lesson. I feel that the children use these technology tools all day in their classrooms and I firmly believe that the few hands on activities they have are extremely important to their development. I'm not sure I will ever get to the appropriation stage in my classroom. I think the "inventive" stage can also be a beginner stage. From the very first day a computer or Smart Board or iPad was introduced into the classroom it resulted in significant changes in classroom practices.
At the elementary level I believe an art room can function without technology. I think the middle school and high school art room is where art and technology can really take off. That said, I do believe that STEM should be STEAM because imagination and creativity are essential for innovation in all fields.....but that's a topic for another blog!
I remember first getting onto the Internet and being under-impressed! We've come a long way, haven't we? All tools are not right for all learning situations. I'm glad you found ways to use the SmartBoard to enhance your lessons. While I agree that art should be hands on I don't agree that technology doesn't have a place in the elementary art room. Imagine the pride that a student (and parent) would feel to scan a QR code next to a piece of artwork that leads to an "artist statement" audio recording for that piece? Or what about connecting with another art room via Twitter and sharing student work? There are plenty of ways to use tech to enhance and not replace your curriculum. I hope you give this some consideration!
ReplyDeleteI didn't say technology didn't have a place in the art room, I believe the art room can function without it and still be successful. I have Skyped with students in South Africa sharing projects with them and that experience was exceptional for all the children. I absolutely feel that technology can enhance a lesson, but all the lessons don't need to revolve around technology. In the end, it's what the students create with their hands that's most important.
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