Motivation and Engagement
I know a lot of researchers say that the novelty effect of new technologies wears off over time but we have had so many novelties (with Smartboards and LAMS and learning objects) at Glenorie that my class truly got down to business and started investigating the real possibilites of these wonderful tools without too much fuss. I truly don’t think my class are so easily WOWed. They know that the tools have to be used in authentic tasks which relate totally to what they are doing in the classroom at all times, so they were quick to delve into the powers of the NOVA.
When Jake took it upon himself to fix the daylight saving time and set them up on the charger at the end of the day, I knew he was hooked! (And this was a surprise)!
One child used complicated descriptive language skills to articulate his instructions to his buddy on the use of the data logger. I haven’t heard him give such explicit instructions for anything ever before!
2 girls were discussing the most reliable place to collect temperature data. Should it be in the shade or in the sun? They took the NOVAs. One stood in the sun, the other stood in the shade. They compared their data. All in a matter of 10 minutes (without any prompting or suggestion from me). The concluding conversation was deep and intellectual. Once again, without any input from me. When they handed them over to the next couple, their suggestions were valued and considered by the next group.
November 14th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Motivation and engagement!!! What a fantastic approach to middle years education. Mrs Evans remenber Steve Biddulph said ’students learn teachers, not subjects’. You’re catering perfectly for RTIC’s ‘risk takers in cyberspace’ otherwise known as students in the middle years. Congratulations!
November 14th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
Reading with interest – about to put them into our first primary sch in NZ. What other techs do you have in your classroom?
Can’t wait to see them in action over here.
November 28th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
Arriving at Glenorie last year I was only half a technology convert but thanks to the fantastic work, training, sharing of ideas, opportunities, inspiration and motivation of the dedicated team and individuals I will never teach the same again. I am inspired and can’t wait for the interactive whiteboard in my room next year. Every time I go near the 5/6 rooom the children look so engaged. I have noticed that even the child with the shortest attention span in class has a much longer attention span when technology comes into play. Quality teaching in a quality environment.