Case: A teacher and her computers

Case Introduction/Commentary

In addition to the variety of approaches and methods available to teachers, there are also a number of instructional resources available. Technology is one such resource. Specifically, the use of computers has been shown to be a valuable resource for teachers. Teachers can and have used technology in order to meet a number of instructional objectives. The following case illustrates a situation in which a teacher looks for ways to use computers in her daily lessons.

Case from Preservice Teacher

My field experience is in a second grade classroom. The school in which it is located places a lot of emphasis on the use of computers in the classrooms. My observation teacher strongly supports this emphasis. She feels that students should learn how to use computers for a variety of activities and that this knowledge is just as important as learning the content of the daily lessons. She has looked for a number of ways to incorporate technology into each of the subjects she teaches. One day during reading class, the students read a book as a class and then individual students went to the computers in the back of the room to look up some resources connected to the book and then write a mini report on the book. A similar thing happened during their math lesson. The teacher went over some main points and a couple practice problems and then the students again went to the computers to work through several additional problems. The students can also use the computers during activity periods or when researching topics for social studies, art, etc.

I have noticed a number of positive outcomes from using computers. The teacher encounters few behavioral problems since the students know that they will lose computer time if they act up. Also, the teacher uses much less paper than other teachers I have observed since the students complete worksheets and quizzes on the computer. Finally, the students are very good with computers and I often am amazed at what they can do.

I have also noticed a couple of problems with using computers. For instance, one day, there was a problem with the computers and the students could not access the day's math worksheet. By the time the teacher had the worksheet photocopied for the students they had little time to work on it before the next lesson. Also, one day I was listening to two girls talk as they were working on a sample math problem. The one girl asked the other how to add something and the second girl just said, "Wait until you get on the computer and it will tell you the answer."

Case Questions

1. Is it important for a school to support the use of computers in the classroom? Why or why not? In what ways should technology be supported?
   
   
2. In addition to the benefits and limitations discussed in this particular case, what are some other issues that are relevant to the use of computers in the classroom?
   
   
3. What are some ways that this teacher could maximize the benefits of using computers for instruction while addressing the limitations?
   
   
4. Using your knowledge of the different approaches to teaching, explain what type of instructional approach this teacher was using. Provide examples from the case to support your answer.