Introduction - Media Technology and Teaching

    Welcome, reader! My name is Dania, but I also go by Dani. I'm currently a student at California State University Northridge, and I am majoring in English with the goal of becoming an English or ESL teacher. 

    In the modern day and age, with our technology continually advancing, modes of teaching and learning should advance as well. With computers so prevalent in our society, it is important to incorporate computer skills into learning. Likewise, students should also learn about the potential dangers of the internet, such as identity theft and one's digital footprint. 

    Media technology can also be a very useful tool to teach, however its use should be limited. The use of media tech learning often takes place in the form of watching videos that teach students concepts or how to perform a task. These can be very useful as they are often engaging for the students. On the other hand, these videos may not be engaging to those who learn by reading or by hands-on learning. Creating media with technology can also be very useful as it is more hands-on, and students additionally have the opportunity to explore their creativity. A downside, however, is that students need to have access to the necessary tools, such as technology and perhaps programs/applications, to create media, and not all students may have these unless their learning institutions provide them. Media technology is a great supplement, though it should not be over-relied on for learning. (Of course, unless the class is about media/media technology.)

    One of the most common ineffective uses of media technology that I have witnessed in classrooms is the over-reliance on videos and slideshows to teach. One teacher that I had in high school in particular almost exclusively "taught" by flipping through slideshows and having the students take notes. There were a few instances in which she would show us documentaries relating to the subject or have us do hands-on activities or projects, but the vast majority was the students passively sitting through slideshows or videos. That class is a great example of how NOT to incorporate media technology into teaching.

Comments

  1. Hello Dania,
    I also agree that media technology, while useful, should also be limited. There are effective examples when teachers can create assignments or projects based around media, allowing for more room to explore and teaching students how to effectively use technology, like learning more computer skills that will benefit them in the future. As you also mentioned, teaching them the dangers of having a digital footprint. I have also had my share of teachers in high school who would rely too much on media technology and wouldn’t necessarily take the time to teach but show us videos instead. This is why I think having courses that would help teachers be more well-equipped to use new technology could benefit both the students and teachers. It will allow instructors to navigate and introduce assignments that help students learn new skills. I have also seen effective ways, such as creating a profile worksheet centered around a character from the book students read in class or making a playlist. 

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  2. Hi Dania!
    I remember you mentioned that you have a minor in Linguistics! I hope we can chat more about that since for my major, I am specializing in Linguistics. We are also on the same page in terms of restrictions for media technology within the classroom. I do think that the positives of technology use outweigh the negatives. Thankfully, most schools in Los Angeles provide chrome books for students to use. One point that I forgot about in my own post is the over-reliance of using media technology to teach. It is unfortunate to see that some teachers never use hands-on learning activities that actually benefit their students. This passive learning will only worsen students’ attention spans and decrease the quality of their learning. As teachers, we want to make sure that students are actually processing the information we give them. No matter the teaching style, all teachers obtained their B.A.. We are all qualified to teach English. However, it is important for us to learn our students’ learning styles so that we can make sure they are taking away important lessons and information from the class.

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