It seems that most of the arguments that you hear against using computers or tvs for students to learn is that it takes them away from literacy, ie reading.
The first thing I think about when I am reading this weeks info is the advertisements you will see for Babies can Read. This is where a parent shows their baby a video with the word being shown on the screen along with a picture of the word. They also have flash cards. If it is an action word then the action is done along with saying the word. It incorporates a mixture of tools in order for a baby to read at a young age.
To me the MOST environment reminds me of the Babies can Read. By combining media with reading, it helps to reinforce what is being learned. Critics sometime say that children watch too much tv as it is or they are on the computer way too much, however, if the child is watching the right type of tv or studying the right type of information on the computer, then it can only enhance what they are learning. I see the MOST environment as being an enhanced way of learning.
The reading described how the MOST environment can help with at risk students. I think anytime you can find a program that will help at risk students and give them confidence, then that is a definite plus. Students these days are more into using computers, so why not incorporate them into helping them learn.
The one negative I can see is that in poor rural schools or districts, they may not have the funds available to use the MOST environment as well as more financially well to do school systems because they may not have the technology available. I use to teach in a school system that we were very lucky to have one computer in each class. However, one computer is a start.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree Carma on some of the lower funded communities but in a different sense. I tend to see a LOT of technology flooding into poor districts mainly due to grants and title I type funds, etc. the kicker is that once they have these in place they don't always have anyone to instruct or work with teachers on how to incorporate and this tends to leave the technology being used for "additional" multiple choice practice or some other low-end of engagement activity...
ReplyDeleteUgh - I have to be honest that when I read your first paragraph that's the noise I made. Really? Are there videos out there that are flashcards for kids to help them start learning words?
ReplyDeleteLearning to read is awesome - I just worry that sometimes parents can get caught up with the... my child did XXX first... that kids "learning" reading is just learning a string of words one after the other without any real comprehension mixed in there.
Whew - just had to share that and get that out!
I know about the kids watching too much tv or spending to much time glued to a screen. Dave Warlick has a pretty interesting perspective - I don't know if it was him or he was quoting someone else, but I'll attribute the quote to him - that the average teenager is "writing" more today than ever. If you consider the texts, emails, and posts to Facebook as writing. ;)
That always made me stop and ponder when considering kids and screen-time.
And you're right - all you need is one computer. At least to start. :)
That's the first thing I thought of too! Can you believe that parents would do that to their kids???? Childhood is supposed to be for being a child! These kids who are hounded to learn to read at birth will be social freaks and be bored out of their skin if they go to regular school! It takes me back to the wisdom of Socrates when he said, "Everything in moderation, nothing in excess." This weeks module is a great add on to reading literacy just like so many other methods. The key is to provide a variety of ways to learn so the child can find success and relate his learning to many life situations. We have so many wonderful tools at our disposal, yet we tend to use them like a slate board and chalk. I agree that one computer in each classroom is a start, just hope that it's used to enhance learning instead of modernizing the way we use chalk!
ReplyDelete