PIP Blog Post 2: Looking Closely

As I started to look for technology used in the classroom, I noticed that one large aspect of being able to connect with others' is the internet. While assignments are a large factor in classrooms, the accessibility to the internet may not be reachable to everyone, especially those who live too far or are not financially able to afford it. Unfair to grade two students that are similar but different: being able to connect easily and being able to connect only when on campus. Computers are not able to connect to the internet without WiFi connectivity and although WiFi is generally free at public schools and "free" at universities not everyone has the luxury at home. This is just one of the issues, however the majority is able to connect to the internet as it is becoming cheaper.

The work I have done includes talks with friends on campus that think that they are limited to what the teacher dictates. Although yes the teacher knows best and their experience is valuable, students know how to work best with how they do their work outside and inside class. Sometimes a student feel more comfortable using a pen and paper while others feel better using a computer. Tablets may be used to take digital notes using styluses which can become more efficient, such as less time sharpening or using pens that are not erasable. Although tablets, computers and other technologies have not existed as long as traditional ways of learning, the reality is, technology will be apart of the classroom regardless of teacher likeness or not. A classroom is usually equipped with a projector, computer and ports this is not a one day to another change.

Some of my a-ha moments were when students usually had the same thought process as myself. However the use of technology is limited and when technology is used it is within a certain limit, or explicitly only use one sort of site for an assignment. Sites given by a professor may seem easy to use and understandable to them, but are generally complicated or too "old school" for students to find interesting. Professors should find themselves accountable for student inter activeness, one piece of technology may have worked once but may not work again with each class with passing semesters.