Technology in the Classroom

Technology can be used to perpetuate old models of teaching and learning. Students in this case can be "plugged into computers" to do drill and practice that is not so different from workbooks. Teachers can use multimedia technology to give more colorful, stimulating lectures. I was teaching the Basic science class for grade Nine student in 2007 at a Church school in Fiji. We came across this topic on “plant behavior” as I introduce a special type of plant called a Venus fly Trap; of course it’s a “carnivorous plant” that normally feeds on insect to get its ATP or energy from. The surprise looks from my students face are common as if to say “Did you just tell us that some plant feed on insects? We thought plants are autotrouphs, which use the sun to get its energy?”I don’t blame them because we don’t have much carnivorous plants in the city area. Well after much discussion on the topic, I finally turn to the multimedia for help. The surprise look on my students face finally changed as they saw this special plant feeds. This changes their mind set that all plant are autotrouphs but they use other means to get energy to live. My moment of teaching was saved from using technology.