Hands on engagement is one of the major learning techniques that is difficult to replace with technology. Although there are several programs like google earth that can be used as a virtual field trip hands-on activities can very rarely be replaced. Currently my second grade students had to opportunity to have over 20 chick eggs. They got to watch the 21 day hatching process, the chicks actually hatching, as well as learning to maintain the chicks needs for 2 days after hatching. It was irreplaceable to watch those students be overjoyed at the sight of a chick hatching and then have every student hold a baby chick. This definitely couldn't be done through a computer screen.
Now that I mentioned google earth it can also provide experiences that are impossible for most classrooms. For example, If the class is reading a novel involving a different country most of the time the students haven't been out of the country specifically to the one in the novel. Google earth provides a way to virtually travel to your desired location. This is great because it shows students the reality of somewhere they may have only imaged in their head before. Now they can actually see what it looks like, almost in real life.
On the opposite scale of things there are several things that can happen on a computer that couldn't in a classroom. One of my favorite is the use of any type of individualized learning app. This keeps students paced evenly with themselves. It collects and provides any data of growth in order to show us exactly where students are or need to be. As a teacher differentiate is a tough thing to accomplish all around the classroom. In this case it is practically done for you and provides you with the tools you need to individualize a students instruction to get them where they need to be.
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