Mobile Technology in the 21st Century Classroom

WHY MOBILE TECHNOLOGY MAKES

SENSE IN THE 21st CENTURY CLASSROOM



The article 'Why mobile technology makes sense in the 21st century classroom' is aimed at educators and the parents of children born into Generation Z or what many are calling the 'digital natives'.

 

 

Technology is a part of our day to day lives and adopting it into the classroom or at home is of definite benefit to any educator or parent. In the article a specific statistic is given and that statistic basically states that students with access to smart phones have increased the amount of time spent on school related materials by around 40 minutes per week. This statistic speaks for itself, it tells us that with our ever increasing technology, students are taking advantage of these new iPads, iPhones, Smart Phones and adapting them to suit their own learning styles.

 

 

However we still have to remember that the technology on its own is not all that makes a lesson engaging and exciting for the students(Justine Isard, 2009). The person that does in fact do this is the teacher. As stated in the article ' John Hattie's research and others have found that the effectiveness of a teacher to be a bigger impact on student learning and this has not changed with the influx of devices and apps in our classrooms' (Justine Isard, 2009). This tells us that the teacher is vital to successful learning.

 

 

Adapting technology is important, but mobile technology is yet to be fully put into use within classrooms across Australia, iPads are being used but phones are still banned in schools. I am not saying this rule should go out the window, but schools need to approach all avenues of learning in order to increase a students want to learn. The simple fact is that technology is and will continue to play a major role in all of our lives, it is our future and the future of the many generations to come. Knowing how to correctly use it to be advantageous is of high importance.

 

 

The article makes many valid points and I for one am in agreement of the aim it tries to put across, from when I was little to how I am now, the way in which technology has changed has been amazing, I am excited for new gadgets to come out and finding new ways in which I can adapt these technologies in order to benefit myself. As a student learning to become a teacher I am finding just how much ICT can be used within a classroom and at a high benefit to myself and the students I will hopefully one day be teaching in the future. Technology does make sense within our 21st century classrooms and this must be realised by all educators and parents, we must move with the times and adapt for the future.