I came across the Technology and Teaching in the K-6 Classroom blog (http://troody.edublogs.org/2008/04/27/computers-benefit-education/(http://troody.edublogs.org/2008/04/27/computers-benefit-education/_ )
The blog posts highlights the results of James Kulik’s study on computer based instruction. Kulik claims a major benefit of computer based instruction is its ability to “individualize instruction and give instant feedback to students, even explaining the correct answer. The computer is infinitely patient and nonjudgmental, thus motivating students to continue.”
This week I overheard a conversation between two 10th grade females. One of the girls claimed that she raised her hand to answer a question and the teacher called on her. She gave her answer and the teacher said, “No, not even close.” The girl continued to tell her friend, “Like I’m ever going to raise my hand in that class again.” I know this teacher and I am sure he didn’t realize that his comment had such a negative impact on this student. We’re teachers, we’re human. Does feedback from computerized instruction cause this type of reaction?
4 comments:
Any form of negative comment can cause this reaction. Students take it personally whether it is a computer or a teacher. The fact that it happened in front of other students probably adds to the feeling of embarrassment that would prevent the girl from raising her hand again.
If the computer puts a red X on a response or says "Better luck next time" or something, the student may be put off, but the embarrassment factor is not present. Students receiving negative feedback may not want to use a certain program or participate in a certain class because of it, but the additional issue of it being in front of their peers makes it worse in the traditional classroom.
As teachers, we make slips of the tongue when we are performing in front of the class and trying to get participation. That one off remark or bit of sarcasm goes a long way with the person receiving it. The only possible response, no one is perfect.
I agree with Rhodes-O’Neill. This type of comment is one of the things that most concerns me as a teacher because we never know for sure the impact we have in our students. Cyndi was fortunate to hear the conversation and maybe talk to the other teacher so he can work something out with the student. However, how many times we have said things like this and we do not have the opportunity to do some to fix it. Maybe in the e-learning environment this type of comment is less common. In e learning, we usually write, revised for grammar and sense errors and then publish. This process can make us more aware of what we are going to say.
Larissa
An e-learning environment does give us time to think about what we are going to say but until audio and video replaces text it is still not unusual for a student to misinterpret a comment in text where inflection, tone, and facial expressions are not available.
I completely agree with rhodes-o'neil. It is hard to avoid some embarrassment when students choose to be unprepared, though.
This is an area where the Interwrite table is a huge advantage. My students know that they put as much as they can down when responding. Once we have had a few questions prompting them to become "unstuck" they can then choose a friend to help them complete their answer. It seems to make my students less hesitant to interact in class.
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