I never thought of benefits besides educational ones, for using technology in the classroom. By using computers and other forms of technology in the classroom setting and elsewhere we are also reducing our use of paper. We could eventually create a paperless classroom. As teachers we have an obligation to prepare our students to be responsible citizens of this globe. I think that by using technology and saving trees students will be more responsible about energy and recycling than past generations. So much paper is used in the classroom and very little of it is recycled. If we can use technology to cut back on the amount of paper we use, than I think we should.
Great point Emily!
ReplyDeleteI had not even thought of this yet! I am totally for a green classroom. This would be a great way to make a classroom even greener than just having a recylcing bin in the corner.
Using tech. to communicate with parents would also be a fantastic way to cut down on paper use.
I totally agree with you, it would be easier as a teacher to be able to have every thing electronically, except I think tests would still have to be paper, but students couldnt use the excuse of loosing their homework, they could only give excuses like my computer crashed, which is alot harder to fake. Also if using e-mails and a website to communicate with the parents you coul dbe sure they had recived the letter, not having to rely on the students acctually remembering to give the note to their parents.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that technology is so green! I think it makes people a lot more aware of how much paper we really use everyday and how little we might actually need. Jeff has a great point about being directly connected to parents too. That way there is no question about whether or not information reached home. This does kind of make me wonder if students would be less involved in that communication process though - I think it could potentially enforce the parents and teachers authority over students if information is being shared without their knowledge. On the other hand, technology could be a green and time efficient way to begin handling conferences. Parents are busy, I wonder if any schools have used conference calls or skype in place of parent teacher conferences.
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