In the article titled, Connection, Translation, Off-Loading, and Monitoring: A Framework for Characterizing the Pedagogical Functions of Educational Technologies, Lee Martin says that, “One of the chief uses of technology is to perform tasks that are tedious, difficult, error-prone, or time-consuming. This is the function of off-loading […]” (94). In my third grade classroom at Millridge Elementary, off-loading often happens to alleviate the factors listed above in such content areas like science. Matter is one of the biggest focuses in the Ohio Learning Standards for third grade, and with matter comes experiments. Off-loading such experiments to technology can be extremely helpful so as to avoid purchasing necessary equipment, taking up significant amounts of time, and even eliminating the risk of injury. As they began their unit on matter, they were given projects to complete in which they created some form of media that displayed the three states of matter, what they are, and a demonstration of one type of their choice. Some students chose to exhibit their findings in the form of posters, PowerPoints, videos, and even in-person presentations.
In order to prepare the students for this project, my cooperating teacher utilized the resources and technology available to teach the content. Often, they would watch BrainPop and/or Bill Nye the Science Guy videos that put the information about the states of matter into practice, allowing the students to actually witness the transformations, instead of just read about them. Due to lack of resources in some schools, it might be difficult for the teacher to do the demonstrations on their own, so having access to technology can help take the lesson one step further. Off-loading in this sense is rather beneficial and, in a way, almost necessary.
Although there are positives to off-loading, I do not believe it should be relied on for every subject. As mentioned, my class often uses Lexia, a literacy website, to help in their reading, spelling, and writing development. Although it is a great tool to have to practice ELA skills, I do think it should be supplemented more with tasks or activities that do not off-load. This website sometimes resembles a drill-and-practice type process and when students get the answer wrong it doesn’t explain why, rather it just repeats what is asked of them. I think that takes away from the students’ ability to grow from their mistakes as it sort of thinks for the student instead of making the student consider what they did wrong and how they can fix it. In other words, the technology is not just an avenue for development anymore, it almost takes away from the true retaining of new information.
Educational Technology in the World | Kendall Miller 