I believe technology should be used to enhance learning, not just because it is available. That said, technology is not readily available at my school.
I know that I need to become more computer savvy and I am hoping that technology use, particularly internet use, can help supplement what students are learning in my class. We have had a change in curriculum and at the same time have eliminated the purchasing of textboooks. Which is probably okay, since most students do not do homework from the textbooks when they were available. I guess I am hoping to begin by learning to do old things in new ways by using the internet as a way to get students more involved at home.
6 years ago
Eliminated textbooks? That is a bold step. My only concern would be for the students who do not have internet access. Where does that leave them?
ReplyDeleteI find that some of my students never even read the text. They just use it for the homework problems. I wonder if those students would also not bother to use the technology if the book was replaced.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with Stephen, even if textbooks were removed, they would still need to read text online, some may even too lazy for that...
ReplyDeleteMy previous school also stopped ordering books for some of the Science classes, because the teachers were moving away from them and doing more alternative forms of assessment like research projects. We did have sets of textbooks from other years in the classrooms that they could use for reference. It worked well in terms of them having to put more effort into finding relevant information, etc. But after reading some of the articles and the chapters in the book, I wonder if this is a good use of technology (ie. giving them more busy work)? It seems like it would be doing old things in new ways (using google instead of their book index to find info) without much gain... Either way, I think its important to determine beforehand exactly what we need them to get out of the assignment and if taking measures like eliminating textbooks to force them to use technology are always the best way to go about it
In my classes students only need books in biology for reference when I no longer draw organisms well --- nothing past the earthworm. In chem and physics they can be a source of problems when I am desperate. Students only read textbooks in my Chem Com class and in their AP science classes. I don't use a text in Forensic science, but I would like too....they have nice crime description.
ReplyDeleteI wish this independence from books would equal more (any) technology available, but alas, I am like you Mary in having minimal equipment available.
I really liked this recent textbook rant:
ReplyDeletehttp://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/06/textbook-rant.html
Here is another article about the evils of traditional textbooks-
http://www.ericbrunsell.com/2009/04/the-textbook-writing-process/
I can see not using textbooks with a greater emphasis on mastery grading. If teachers or classes laid out "you need to do the following." You need to show me the following as proof of your understanding." Then students could use what works best for them. My problem is that many digital natives will think that the best way will be to do a google search. Eventually they might find the answers, but it may take too long. Perhaps as educators, we have to help them develop familiarity with information sources online as well as paper. If I got rid of a textbook for my class, I would like to at least maintain a reference to the online textbook from the publisher. Some students will find the textbook helpful.
ReplyDeleteAre decisions not to use books motivated more by not wanting to spend money or by pedagogicallly sound reasons?
Thanks for all the comments,
ReplyDeleteStephen, I only really used the textbook as a homeowrk book and for when students had extended absences. I experimented this year and assigned some on-line HW with results similar to those of textbook assigned HW- those that do HW did it, those that don't usually do HW, did not do on-line HW.
The problem I have is that 20-25% of my students have no internet access and so have no reference and when they are out for extended times, I have nothing readily available for them.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links about the evils of traditional textbooks :)
I totally understand and agree but just do not know how to get info to kids who do not have access to technology w/o a textbook. Though we are trying to come up with some things for this year.