REACTION: Is it that simple? Yes…perhaps..perhaps..perhaps!
In response to Mandy’s blog outlining the use of content free software in the classroom, well I think she may be on to something. Realistically a mind map, spreadsheet or database, whether they be a hard or soft copy are essentially the same thing. Or are they? Well yes. Apart from the fact that one can easily create, alter, save and most importantly share their work with the mere click of a button when using technology. However, I think the most important aspect is the process of creation. We have all done a mind map on the white board with relative amounts of success. Yet take your mind map online and the sky is the limit! The students are obviously more actively involved in its development and hence more likely to retain the new found knowledge.
For some reason that I cannot entirely comprehend, take an activity and do it on paper, then do the same activity, or similar using technology. From experience, it’s always the latter that wins hearts. That’s reason enough for me to incorporate digital learning in my classroom.
