Davis helps students “learn how to learn” by showing them how to use digital tools properly. Students have to look for word meanings on Google and they have to search for extra information for their assignment reports. She mentions that students must be thinkers and not just followers. They also learn how to use wikis, blog online collaboration effectively to be able to connect with students from around the world. Her goal is to bring students to be comfortable with the use of new technology. Davis view on teaching is that is you use only pen and paper; some students might not be able to succeed as much.
To empower students, you have to make students responsible for their learning. They also have to be able to share with one another their knowledge. They can be “expert”, term used by Vygotsky, in something that is more difficult for others and create a community of learners within the classroom but in the digital world as well. It is with interest from students that Davis is able to enrich the classroom curriculum and to help all students learn.
It is important for students to collaborate with others from around the world because this way, they can share ideologies and ways of thinking. They can expand their cultural background and form their own opinion on world issues. Also, the web makes us able to find information from around the world and student’s curiosity can be satisfied in a way by talking with kids their own age. Students can also connect with them because no matter where you are, teenagers feel and live the same experiences.
One way I could connect students with the world is by creating some kind of activities with Google earth and a blog by making them look for certain places in the world and by making them discuss it with students who are from this place or have been there.
I totally agree with Andréanne when she mentioned that it is important for students to collaborate with other students around the world to share ideologies and way of thinking. In our time, it the topic seen in class were not always up to date, so it is good to have technologies to help teachers include what's happening troughout the world in our everyday classes.
ReplyDeleteYou are right! Nowadays, children are overstimulated and they get easily bored when all teacher have to motivate them is a pen and a sheet of paper. I think that it can be really motivating for students to use digital tools in the classroom. However, I think that the best method remains to mix both traditional and interactive activities.
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