Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in your industry.
Over the past few years enVisions, a digital textbook offered by Pearson, has been introduced as a core component of our math curriculum.
What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?
Since our district has adopted this curriculum the problems have been mostly technical. The site was down, the animation components didn't work, or teachers had problems setting up their classes. Along with the technical problems there have been challenges of teacher training. In the beginning they provided us with a one day training and then expected everyone to utilize the program effortlessly. This of course was not the case and those teachers that were frustrated two years ago, are still frustrated today.
What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?
I feel that this new curriculum meets the needs of society by linking home and school, digitally and by using less paper for homework thus moving towards a "greener" classroom. I think the benefits are that teachers can view their student's work form any internet connected computer, parents can see exactly what information their child is learning and how to help them, and it can be beneficial for students that are away from school due to illness or family situations.
What would make this technology even better, avoiding the pitfalls you identified?
This technology could be even better if it had an area for online chat or mobile applications.
Click here to view a blog from teachers about the components of this program.
Hi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteI haven’t heard of enVisions but, I can see how it could have its problems or challenges in the school. Your district sounds very similar to mine when it comes to the proper amount of training for any new implementations. We always feel that we don’t get enough training to effectively implement the new technology like the board expects us to. We get these one-day trainings on all of this information and how to do this and that without actually having time to practice it ourselves. But then, we are expected to be superheroes and instantly remember everything to implement what was learned into our daily classrooms. I can definitely understand why teachers are often frustrated or feeling that extra work is being added to their already loaded plates. However, if we look on the bright side, a lot of the technology coming out can actually save us time and energy when we really get comfortable with utilizing it on a daily basis.
We have several of our textbooks that offer interactive cd roms, but none that are online. I was very interested to learn more about it. I like the component of allowing parents to see what their students are learning. Have you run across any problems with students not having internet access at home? My school has a high free and reduced lunch program and many of my students do not have computers or internet access at home.
ReplyDeleteOver the past few years I have had very few students without the internet however I haven't used the program on an at home basis. This year I only have one student without internet so I am thinking that as I get closer to assigned all homework online, that this student will have traditional paper and pencil. I am sure to utilize the program in class to allow all students the ability to use the program. I like it because I can differentiate the lessons as I work with others on needed skills.
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