On "Reinventing the Wheel"

I decided to name my blog "Reinventing the Wheel" because it is a phrase I have heard often upon entering the teaching community. Usually, the conversation goes something like:

Frustrated and tired Teacher Candidate:  "Ugh, I don't know about this lesson! Will this engage the students enough? Do I incorporate different methods of learning and instruction? How will I assess their learning in a  measurable  and meaningful way?"

Savvy Veteran Teacher: "Dont worry about it, kid! You will do great! Its not like you are reinventing the wheel."

What does this phrase mean exactly? Dictionary.com suggests that this figure of speech means "to make unnecessary or redundant preparations".  The general feeling of the phrase is that there is nothing new or original to be done, and it is usually said in a derisive manner. It falls under the category of phrases like "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Basically at it's core is the belief that there is nothing to be improved upon. Any "new" or "fascinating insight" you bring has already been done before. So why try?

When should the wheel be reinvented? That is really a tough question. The following are some examples of times when it might be the right move:

* When something obviously needs improvement. Maybe it was great at one time, but it doesn't currently meet the need or help accomplish the mission in the most efficient and effective manner. 

* When someone has an idea that might improve it (whatever "it" is), even if it is working. If the improvement helps make it better, cheaper, easier to use or maintain, or improves the efficiency, why not use the idea?

* When someone has a new and innovative idea. If the idea will lead to a better product or process of some kind that is needed or useful, reinvention may be worthwhile.
* When the dollar and time constraints aren't there. This doesn't happen often, but it is in the realm of possibility.  

(adapted from "Two sides of reinventing the wheel."Defense Acquisition University Press. thefreelibrary.com)

With respect to technology in education, I think it is about time to "reinvent the wheel." The education system clearly could use some revamping/reimagining. Maybe the old system once worked, but in this day and age its not properly preparing our students for the rapidly changing future. Even though there are successes in the education system, why not implement technology to help potentially make the system better, easier to use, and more efficient? This acceptance and experimental phase may lead to even greater advancements and outcomes that we might not even be able to conceive at this moment in time. Although technology devices cost quite a bit up front, the cost of brick and mortar tools/devices are just as costly. In other arenas the price of using technology is very little and might help to lower the overall cost of education.

Therefore, the goal of this blog is to explore the ins and outs, the ups and downs, the pros and cons of technology in education, in order to see if we can really reinvent the wheel.

Accessibility Of Technology: Students/Teachers

The English teacher began class by telling the students a story about her experience with technology. She began by explaining her goal for Sunday night was to finish grading all of their summary essays, so that they could have a sense of where they stood before back to school night. The students had been instructed to access the prompt and rubric on the website EDU 2.0. Then they were to read and article, write a summary, and submit it online through EDU. The teacher went home and found out that her internet was down, and would be for a long time. She was frustrated at first but then began to think, that if she couldn't grade papers she might as well watch her favorite show and relax. She then realized that she watches her favorite show on Netflix and therefore couldn't even do that. She concluded by saying that because the internet was down and we rely on it for so many different reasons she ended up going to bed by 8:30 that night.

The students all thought this was funny and relatable, because of the many mishaps we have when technology fails in the classroom. We then posed the query to them and asked what their stories about technology were. How did they use it? Why? When?
I followed up with a survey made up of questions like: how many hours do you spend online? What devices do you own/use? and for what purposes. How many texts do you send a day? What sites do you frequent? How often do you utilize technology in the classroom?

All of these questions related to the unit they were about to begin. Learning how to read and mark nonfiction articles centering around technology. 

The students answers were pretty typical and possibly shocking. The amount of time spent online was astounding in some cases.  Over 5 hours!? When asked follow up questions the students would clarify, by saying they use Pandora or Spotify to listen to music for extended periods of time. Others were avid gamers. The answers varied of course. Some led to other questions like, do your parents regulate your use of technology or limit your access to the internet. Some did and others let the students self regulate. The majority of the students when asked what tool they use most listed their phone. Even those who didn't have a computer usually accessed the internet via smartphone. They listed, Instagram, YouTube, tumblr, Pinterest and Facebook as their most frequented sites, but explained they also used their devices to access the schools educational network, EDU 2.0 to check grades, homework and communicate with teachers.  Students also reported that they use their devices in school only when allowed (I know for a fact this is not true. I have viewed several vines via student's phones...) but I thought it was nice that they at least knew when they should/could use their devices.

The concept of EDU 2.0 is an interesting one to me. This website's function is like that of  Gauchospace - a site familiar to UCSB students. It is like the Facebook of education; a place where students parents and educators can all go to get connected to what is going on in their classes. Many teachers post everything they did in class that day along with homework assignments and other resources all online.  This can be a wonderful tool for students, especially when they are sick or absent. It can also work in the teacher's favor as well. The downsides are time and accessibility, and dependence.  I have heard many teachers' gripes about using the system and the amount of time and effort it takes to actually post everything you did in class that day if you don't already have a digital copy.  In addition to my teacher's anecdote, students also have trouble accessing the website sometimes as well. Finally, a problem I have seen is that students will complain that they didn't write down the homework in class and the teacher (who has announced her disuse of EDU to the class) didn't post the homework online, therefore they didn't know what to do. I call this dependence/lethargy.

It is clear that technology has begun to naturally become a part of the classroom, whether educators like it or not. The important question for them to answer is, "how do we capitalize on it?" How can technology become a facilitator of learning rather than an inhibitor?
I would like to make the use of technology in my classroom a norm but only when I feel comfortable with managing/regulating its use, and with an understanding of the students ability to access the technology we are using.