Too Much Innovation?

After some reflection and discussions with both my professor and peers, I have decided to make the topic of this blog more focused. Specifically, my posts will revolve around the following question: Can there be too much innovation in the classroom setting?

I have chosen this question as my focal point, as it is a difficult one for me to answer. This post, specifically, will focus on innovation as it relates to technology in the classroom.

Our society is moving forward with technology at such a rapid pace. Most children today have grown up in a world immersed in technology and don't know anything else. Further, our knowledge of the world continues to grow and change - with new discoveries, inventions and ideas being introduced frequently. With technology, our world is also become smaller and easily connected. With these realities of our present society, it is absolutely important to expose students to innovative technological experiences/opportunities.

However, the negative impact of constant technological innovation in the classroom must also be considered. I feel that this can best be described through a personal example: Currently, I am teaching part-time at a summer camp. This camp is located in a middle school classroom and I am assigned to the Grade 2 students. Yesterday, I overheard one of the students say the following to a peer: "I think that green thing is a chalkboard. They used to write on them with chalk in the olden days."

This statement from a seven year old student had me pause for a moment. Have we really come to far with the incorporation of technology into classrooms that students no longer know what a chalkboard is? I also feel it is important to consider that some "old school" ways of teaching are proven to be effective. For example, reading aloud to students has many evidence-based benefits (as cited by Centre for Teaching). Reading aloud "creates a classroom community by establishing a known text that can be used as a basis for building on critical thinking skills..." (1). In my opinion, the creation of such a personal classroom community is not something that can be replaced by technology.

As you can see, I am conflicted with my thoughts on this topic. I see positive and negative aspects regarding the incorporation of technological innovation in the classroom setting. I am interested to hear what my readers have to say - do you feel strongly one way or the other? Or are you conflicted like me?

Thank you for reading!

Casey

Works Cited:

(Centre for Teaching, n.d.) "What are the Benefits of Reading Aloud? An Instructional Format for College-Age Learners" Retrieved from: https://teach.its.uiowa.edu/sites/teach.its.uiowa.edu/files/docs/docs/What_are_the_Benefits_of_Reading_Aloud_ed.pdf