My Space: The reality of technology in my teaching space
feels bleak to me. I am in a K-6 school. I teach grade 5/6. We have a computer
lab, which gives us access to whatever internet-based programs we want to use.
Over the years our principals would occasionally offer us an iPad or money
for a field trip. I always said, “iPad please!” I also spent 5 years
partnered up with a coworker making hot lunches three times a week and was able to buy several iPads that way. I have been able to get 13 iPads this way.
We use our iPads for practice, logging into our one drive, Kahoot, to meet
up with buddies, to share projects and ideas, and a host of other ways.
These iPads are on a school wide account now. To get an app, we must go
through a laboriously lengthy list of steps on how to get access. Even for free
apps. They also remove all apps every summer. That has made it much more
difficult to use the iPads in a way that works with my class. I used to be able
to buy apps where I thought it was worth it and that is gone now. These iPads
are also removed from the school whenever they are deemed too old to use the
school’s network. Not replaced, just removed.
Photo by Arthur Lambillotte on Unsplash
Other technologies in my room, iPad microscopes, lightboards, etc. must be
funded by me.
My School: My school has a computer lab and our principal
schedules our time in the lab for the year. It has 28 computers but from
experience if you have a class of 25+ you always have someone whose computer is
not working on any given day. There are a variety of district approved sites
where work can be assigned to students who need extra practice, we type
assignments, look for information and take part in digital citizenship
assignments from the computer lab.
We also have a library/commons room. In that room students have access to
ozobots, 3D printers, beebots, snap circuits and more.
Most technology in our classes is based on what that teacher can get,
through whatever means possible, grants, projects, knowing the right people to
ask and whatever fundraising they are able to do.
My District: In my room, my district has given me access to
a teacher computer, two student computers and a viewboard. I also have a
document camera that seems to work when it feels like it. My class has access
to Microsoft 365. They usually have no idea how to use this until grade 5/6.
My students: Many of my students are coming to school with
cell phones, and because of this they consider themselves very tech savvy, but
ask them to save, or even share a document and you are asking for trouble. I
still have students coming to school that do not access the internet at home
and/or do not have computers.
Final Thoughts: A lot of the technology in my classroom is
dependent on me. What I can get for my class, what I have time to research and
teach, what I decide to share, what I think is important for them to learn. I
would like more of the spotlight to be on my students, and for a few every year
it is. One of my favourite student presentations was on the difference between
a series circuit and parallel circuit using Minecraft Education using red
stone. Another was on which coding website was the “best”, based on
the amount of time it took the learner to learn the program (hint he was
familiar with all of them) and then code a simple game. But these students came
with their own tools and their own motivation to learn.
For me it feels like at the same time the Ministry is saying “use
tech”, I am also being told, “no! Don’t touch!” My hope is that
through the learning I will be doing in the courses I am taking; I can advocate
for my students into using more tech in a way that will enhance and promote
their own lifelong learning.
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