I was really inspired by the TEDX talk on personalized learning and digitizing the classroom. It made me wonder why I hadn't thought about this before given the technology that I had in my business. In 2010, in my Curves location, we implemented the SMART system. This system tested each of the members on each of the strength training machines to see what their typical range of motion was and to see what amount of strength they could generate on the machine. After members were tested on the machines, they were given personalized key tags which they swiped before getting onto a piece of equipment. As they worked out, the machine showed colors to indicate how their range of motion and strength was and it pushed them to work harder. If they were able to reach those more difficult goals, it pushed them even harder the next time. If they were not able to reach those more difficult goals, it made their goals a little easier the next time they came in to avoid frustration. After each workout, members were able to log onto a computer system which showed them exactly how they had performed on each machine and gave them overall statistics such as calories burned and heart rate throughout the workout. The light indicators throughout the workout were helpful in keeping them on track during their workout (i.e. not letting them slack off). The statistics after the workout gave them motivation for their next workout.
I can see this type of technology tying in so well with the classroom if the right software exists. It is important to push students beyond what they currently know, but it is also important to make sure they are not getting pushed too far causing frustration or a feeling of inadequacy. We as teachers can try our absolute best to observe students when they are not getting a subject or struggling with a concept, but we are not capable of collecting every single piece of data from every single student to make sure each student is getting what they need. We are also challenged to think of ways to challenge each student in the way that will work for them. However, technology is able to conquer some of these enormous tasks.
I also think differentiating is a difficult concept for many teachers. Not only does it require a ton of observation, thought and preparation, it also leads to concerns about student's affect. If certain students are always placed together at the "yellow" table, do they know that they are the struggling students? Will they get made fun of? Will they feel like they will never do well, like they are the dumb ones? I remember my brother and best friend going to GATE classes when I was in elementary school. I remember being put into the "dumb" math group. I remember feeling stupid. Technology might be a way to help students avoid those feelings, those frustrations, those negative connotations about learning and about school. If each child is working on their own, at their own level and pace, as determined by the software, they will feel success each and every day, without worrying about being compared to someone else's abilities.
The biggest struggle I see with implementing technology in the classroom is the learning curve we all face. Technology is wonderful, but it can also be frustrating. Sometimes technology is not intuitive and it can cause other problems. If every school was able to get a computer for every child, how many IT professionals would each campus need? Will the public see the benefits of technology in the classroom and provide the needed funding to schools? These are challenges we will face. Therefore, the public needs to be convinced that technology given all its woes has even bigger strengths and benefits for our students. Technology can give us the ability to do in-depth research and analysis on every child we teach. Using this data, we can make informed decisions about our students and what they need. Each student is a unique individual and it is our responsibility as teachers to discover who they are and show them the path that is perfectly made for them. Technology can help us move in that direction, and the faster we implement this technology in our schools, the greater chance we will have to benefit all of our students in so many ways.
