When reading the question "Are we doing what is best for our students or are we doing what is most convenient for us?" I think that question is one that does not have a real answer , there is such a wavy line, with that thought.
What one may think is best for their students, may not be what is best. In the same thinking, what is convenient for some may not be for others.
Sooo as I sit here and think about my own class I have to honestly say that everything I do is for my students, whether it be the best is something that sometimes we dont have control of. I teach middle school ESE TMH & EMH students so many things are out of my control and theirs as well.
My students for instance are not "digital students" as the book points out, nor will they really have the abilty to become those kids. They do not have the capacity to multitask and hypercommunicate. We focus on one goal at a time. They are all unique and special in their own ways.
Now is that to say they have no knowledge of technology, not at all, they do. We have computers and I use a SMARTboard with the students daily. They all can get on the computer and know the basics. This is my first year teaching and I am technology savvy so most of my lessons involve technology I have taught the students how to use the SMARTboard and integrate it with all our lessons in one way or another. I use games and videos to catch their attention and make things fun so they will retain the information. I am not one for worksheets and textbooks. Could things be better for my students...ABSOLUTELY. I would love to be able to give each one a Tablet PC or something of the sort and let their knowledge grow and grow and teach them all the ins and outs of technolgy that they can retain. Unfortunately, I do not have the power to make that happen, so I work with what is best in our class and what is convenient for us all. One day I hope to see that opportunity where more and more technology is available to all schools, but until that day I will keep doing my best.:)
