Faculty of Education Education News Fall 2011 / Winter 2012 Page 13
Technology in the Classroom
Kyle Webb , a 4 th year Education student , returned in December from his international internship feeling enthusiastic about technology and its use in the classroom . Kyle is finishing his Secondary Education degree , with a major in math and a minor in science . What makes him unique is his interest and ability in blending technology , especially social media , with teaching mathematics and chemistry . Kyle says “ the most difficult classes to blend are mathematics and chemistry .” When he first started to incorporate technology and social media into his classes , he received some mixed feedback . Kyle says , “ I was doing something outside the box and trying to share it with everyone because it works so well .”
Kyle had a unique opportunity to try his ideas for teaching with technology through his internship at St . Louis , Missouri with the Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School ( MICDS ), an independent college preparatory for students in Grades K-12 which has integrated technology in the classroom . He heard about this school , in which each student receives a tablet and stylus for use in the classroom , through Dr . Alec Couros and Instructor , Dean Shareski . Kyle found freedom to try his ideas because the teachers , administration , and students were open to innovative use of technology in the classroom . His goal in incorporating technology into lessons was to teach students how to use social media in a positive way . “ Once you show students a positive way of using social media , they begin to do productive things with it .” Kyle wants to see more use of technology in the classroom because , he says , “ students are already using technology every day , and they find it engaging .” They are excited to learn that they can use it productively ; for instance , they can look up a certain element in chemistry , or use their cell phones to look up an equation . Kyle says , “ It is a different medium to deliver content ; one that kids find engaging .” Kyle felt well prepared for his internship , especially in regards to technology , “ I had taken the ECMP classes , both 355 and 455 , which really launched me in the right direction .”
When asked about technology being a distraction to students , Kyle responds , “ Yes and no . If you aren ’ t aware of the possibilities , kids could be shopping or worse during class time . But if you are using the computer for learning , once you show them that learning can be fun and
Submitted by Shuana Niessen
engaging through computer , they are on task . There are going to be kids who are napping or playing but this is more than a technology problem .” The school Kyle interned with used software to monitor students , and Kyle discovered that if you project that onto the smartboard , students will monitor each other .
Kyle received a thank you letter from the school headmaster , Scott Small , following an engaging talk he presented to students about ensuring that their visual identity online is positive . Small wrote , “ Your sincere and thoughtful presentation this morning engaged kids and made them think about their own lives and what is meaningful to them ...” Since his internship , Kyle has been engaged in more technology talks , twice with the Education Students ’ Society and at WestCAST . His enthusiasm for using technology in the classroom will continue into his profession as a teacher .
Kyle Webb ( left ) with MICDS teachers and students