ECB

The CoP Traditional classroom vs technological (digital) classroom can be considered an open space where many teachers discussed about advantages and disadvantages which come out from the use of technology in schools.

At the end of this CoP, participants agreed that technology is a mean and a tool to enhance the learning experience of students. Technology cannot substitute traditional methods. On the other hand, we cannot avoid hands on activities when we teach STEM subjects if we want students to be aware of the effects of what they are inquiring!

The students implement the technology quite quickly. The teachers sometimes found it difficult to keep pace with the technology updates. Because of that, some teachers tend to stick to traditional teaching methods.

Samar, one of the participants, sumarized views and opinions, by saying “… I think any point of view is based on personal experiences, confidence and abilities to adopt the latest trends in technology and use them effectively. Many other factors can influence the extent of the use of modern technologies in education and I think the most important ones are funding and training. Traditionally, we see a teacher as a person who has knowledge and skills, and can transmit them to learners. I think a lot of this is still true but a teacher has become more like a facilitator and a guide in a world where knowledge is easily accessible at a press of a button and technology is changing and evolving at a light speed. No one can deny the fact that that our students are growing up with technology and we have to be realistic and teaching should be able to complement this reality. … it is important to remember that we have to equip our youngsters with a wide range of skills using the so called traditional methods and that includes hands on activities and tasks, real experiments in science, excursions and interactions with nature to name few examples. Our success depends on our abilities to choose wisely the best method that can achieve our objectives for each lesson in the most effective way.”

We have to learn sharing ideas and best practices if we look at team work, as a way to improve our students' learning opportunities.

Some teachers observed that one of the biggest problems we face in our schools, is to measure the level of learning and problem-solving skills or competences. Traditional (standardized) tests fail to assess the technological and pratical working methods.

 

DIGITAL DEVICES

Participant shared their experiences on how to find funding to get digital devices:

-       Ministry of Education

-       Local authorities / banks

-       Companies

-       Participation to projects / competitions

-       Help of families

-       BYOD

Digital devices, such as computers, interactive white boards, projectors are not spread everywhere: in some countries, or in some schools, they are still missing. Sometimes is internet connection missing.

Phones (and smartphones) are most common devices, that could be used easily as instruments to measure, to take photos, to watch videos or work with augmented reality. But phones are not allowed inside classes in many schools.

The use of technology in the classroom require, furthermore, effective and updated e-safety policy that makes all stakeholders aware of the risks involved and how to deal with the related issues.

To make students aware about e-safety teachers organize courses, partecipate to e-safety day, call experts, share .materials on VLE and school websites.

 

NEW MEDIA

The use of technology sometimes means extra work for the teacher, who has to search, project and upload materials. On the other end students learn fast, often faster than their teachers. who can use their knowledge during the lesson…  Teachers become facilitatore and their role in the class change: more cooperative work can be done.

New media allow new way of work inside the class, for tests, for homeworks:

-       flipped classroom (and Khan Academy)

-       tests with immediate feedback

-       use of responders

-       quiz and surveys with the track of students progresse

-       use of VLE (virtual learning enviroment) for tutorials, assignments, presentations, webquests…

-       blog, wiki, class/teacher pages

-       social networks in education

-       interactive simulations

-       educational computer games

-       digital books

 

SPECIAL NEEDS

Technological devices are very useful for students with special needs, expecially when used together with interactive white boards and some kind of apps, such as map creators or with reading tools or voice recording apps. Students who have great benefits from the use of digital devices and assistive technology are students with authism, dislexya, ADHD, but also demotivated students or immigrant students (who can have help in the use of language) find benefits.

All these tools are helpful only if the teacher don't let them alone with their devices, but uses cooperative learning methodologies, assisted with the use of interactive whiteboards, when possible.

Technological and digital resources, such as educational robotics, 3D modelling, participation to digital workshop/competitions (DigiGirlz, EuRobotics Week, Xperimania, Science: it’s a girl thing) can help to reduce gender gap and promote girls’ interest in STEM education.

 

USEFUL APPS (coming soon)