Connection Disconnected…

Can we function without the use of our technology? Or are we now bonded for life?

As you embark on your new position in the world of education there will be a lot of different ideas that span across years and years of teaching. One of my most enjoyed debates is in regards to the use of tech in the classroom. 

I am huge supporter of paving your own way in this educational world. I believe that our best teaching strategies, ideas, and inspirations stem from an understanding of current trends, what you know, and how children learn. You can be very open minded but do not let someone else’s ideology taint yours. 

We live in a very technological era. We have to face that fact. Even when I was growing up I spent time watching educational television and now I am watching webcasts on education and blogging about it. I cannot even imagine what is to come next. Children are getting iPhones and tablets for their 6th birthdays now. To not be connected to the world is viewed as worse than death nowadays. 

So do we choose to disconnect the classroom or link up and use it to our advantage?

One side of this shows that an increase in the use of technology can cause a decrease in the social skills we are trying so hard to promote. A classroom governed by plugs, wires, and the all-knowing internet. A classroom of children barely able to spell but able to navigate webpages and the internet. The internet and webpages carry so much information. There are videos and games that can be added to any lesson at the press of a button. When doing a unit on pollution, countries, or space, an educator can find lesson plans, ideas, games, stories, games, and child created videos and explanations. This is a time where teaching is easier. Why stay up and recreate the wheel when someone has already posted all the steps. It is as if we have reached the Golden Age of Education. It could be argued that it can promote a ‘lazy teacher’ methodology. One in which the computer is now the teacher and we document the learning… or don’t document at all. When the computer becomes the teacher do we not become obsolete? I am guilty of letting my phone take over my time. It is one of the first things I find in the morning and very last thing in my hands at night.

I fear the day that technology will surpass our need for human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.
-Albert Einstein

The other side of this debate brings out valid points in regards to how many of the adults today were brought up and that many of us received quality care and support. I believe my generation grew up well. My home did not have a computer until I was about 12 years old. I remember biking to the library, exploring the woods behind my house, sleepovers, girl guides and never once did I need to take a selfie or post these experiences for the world to see. Do children really need all this technology in their school day? Do we need to bring in iPads and Chromebooks for toddlers in daycare programs? For years, decades, and centuries children have been reared, taught, disciplined, and had experiences based in the real world. Their experiences have helped to shape the world as we know it today. Yet, we are shifting to a world where our self-worth is measured in friends or followers and our experiences are for Instagram and the world.

Both sides of this debate could argue for days and nights. However, in more classrooms and daycares we are getting tech tubs and bins of technology to incorporate into our classrooms. Whether or not we dislike the hold technology has on us it is a reality. What can be done is to always keep in mind the idea of moderation. As good as our teaching is we can embrace new things and methods. As wonderful as technology is we can’t let it take over and replace those awe inspiring teachable moments.

Do you believe technology has a hold on your classroom?
Do you welcome the idea of new websites and personal devices?
Do you have concerns about socialization?

If you are on either side of this issue and wish to leave a comment please do! An open dialogue is always appreciated here. You can always send an email to theeverydayece@gmail.com

AN EVERYDAY EDUCATOR

to fear or embrace the technology we have created.

A System of Support

I spend a lot of time writing about the plight of the Early Childhood Educator. One of the main rules of writing is “to write what you know”.  One aspect I have lacked on is the plight of the Educational Assistant.

Full disclosure, prior to this blog and my even my Early Childhood positions, I was (and still am) a special needs worker. I have worked with individuals on the Autism Spectrum, clients with brain injuries, in a group home, and many other places.  Each place I worked has had its challenges but I did my best every day.

No school, daycare, preschool, aftercare, nor before care has not served a child with special needs or will in the coming years. Considering the increase in our ability to identify a special need, get a team together, and create a plan one would think all would be ‘hunky dory’. The concept is wonderful on paper but in practice it fails not only the staff but the students is claims to serve.

I feel very strongly about this for both sides. Educational Assistants and Early Childhood Educators are trapped in a frustrating and ultimately dangerous loop. We cannot just throw out a ton of diagnoses and not provide the funding and staffing to match. If one increases then the other surely needs to.

I can attest to the situations we have dealt with this year in our classrooms and those of a few of my peers. For one situation there was a child that required constant assistance. Someone needed to be there to guide at all times. If not there would be serious behaviors that could (and often did) cause injury to staff or students. For a few months only one EA was present. This EA had to split her time among many students. For the children that required more assistance the duty fell to the educators until the gap was filled. This is a child that can be violent, sweet, caring, angry, a flight risk, and destroy a classroom in a matter of minutes. By the end of the year we had many burnt out educators, two extremely frustrated educational assistants, and one new emergency EA. It took almost a full year to get some support. There are a million and one stories just like this one.

I don’t think I can do it anymore. I am tired of not getting help when I need it.
– A very exhausted EA

This issue is even more pressing at this moment as the province is facing severe budget cuts and it is affecting the most vulnerable in our school sectors. The amounts are not small my friends and I can only see things getting worse in the coming year. There is an article from the Sun newspaper that outlines the cuts in the budget across Ontario.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/27/special-ed-funding-cuts-hurting-kids-across-the-province?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=recommend-button&utm_campaign=Special+ed+funding+cuts+hurting+kids+across+the+province

If you have had some interesting experiences as an RECE or EA this year regarding special needs, the support you have received, or any tidbits of advice please post them in the comment below! You can also email at anytime to theeverydayece@gmail.com

AN EVERYDAY EDUCATOR