During the course of the semester in our Educational Psychology class, we have talked about many things that I found very interesting and useful to know. I would have to say that the most interesting thing that I have learned is how useful technology can be in the classroom. If the technology is used the right way, and can fit with the unit at hand, it can be a very useful tool for inviting student collaboration, incorporating games to keep student interest, all the while preparing students for a technology based future.<\/p>\n
Collaboration is a very important aspect in school. Student teamwork is very important as learning how to be a part of a team is a skill set they will most likely be a skill set that they will need to know to be successful in their career. Group projects push children to cooperate, improve their social and interpersonal skills, and help them to better understand the material at hand through discussion while being able to reciprocate the material with peers; which can build confidence. Students must communicate effectively, work together, and demonstrate self-discipline while working collaboratively with follow students. This, in turn, can increase their learning and make the most of their educational experience. As Megan Cicconi points out in her article “Vygotsky Meets Technology” in the Early Childhood Education Journal, she says “Collaboration is a powerful tool that aids in deliberate decisions and forms effective strategies. It is so powerful that Vygotsky\u2019s theory of learning necessitates social activity”(pg 57)<\/p>\n
Years ago, that whole last paragraph I just wrote would without a doubt seem like it were only referring to students meeting face to face to accomplish it all. But with today’s technology, we are able to connect student’s with computer programs and apps in a way that was once never thought possible. Students can group collaborate on projects while using programs like Google Docs; being able to add their idea’s and research to a group project from the comfort of their home.\u00a0 The “Flipgrid” app uses video to create and post questions.\u00a0 If students have the same teacher, but are in different classes, they can still contact each other while asking and answering questions with each other after class time is long over. With the Evernote app, students can create electronic notebooks and manage the information they learn in class, as well as keep track of sources they find online. Project work can be done, and students also have access to group work. The following video shows a newer(more expensive) piece of\u00a0 technology for the classroom called a “Smart” screen which enables students to engage it with their smartphones and by physically touching it!<\/p>\n