Whew! What a ride it has been!  Working with students in a classroom in a low income school can be very challenging. I am sure that many of you can guess that going digital has its myths and truths. So let’s take a look at what I have experienced so far.  

            The “Pros and Cons” of going all Digital in the Classroom

What I thought it would be like --> What it turned out to be like

 Students would be distracted -->      With good management,
students are attentive. "Close your laptop to a 'finger width'.



Students will upload or look at inappropriate content.
 -->The District has blocks in place that controls most of the content. 
An observant teacher can control browsing at school. At home,
 It is the parent's responsibility.

Students will not grow as fast as they did without the technology.
-->    STAR testing shows my students are at or slightly above what
they were without computers.

The teacher will have nothing to do. -->     A good teacher will facilitate and guide her students acquisition of 
knowledge and skills. She will help her students take ownership of their education.

Teachers will not teach anymore. -->    There is a "pause" button,
use it.Good teachers use modeling, grand discussions, higher level questioning and manipulatives.

Students will not participate in cooperative learning groups. -->
 Centers (stations) are set up to encourage cooperative learning
groups with or without the aid of laptops.

Students will not read fluently. -->    Actually, students reading
fluency improves through choral reading and listening to fluent
readers.

Overall, I am glad we are digital.  A teacher wears many hats and I’ve had to add the “Technology Cap” to my wardrobe……..but didn’t I agree to be a lifelong learner when I became a teacher??    

Mayree

“Creativity is intelligence having fun” …..Albert Einstein