Journal #4 "It's in the Bag"

Basham, J. D., Perry, E., & Meyer, H. (2011). It's in the bag. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(2), 24-27. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-september-october-2011.aspx


Summary:

This article introduces digital backpacks, and its potential usefulness for the teaching and learning experience for the digital age students. This backpack literally is a knapsack containing digital gadgets, such as a laptop, to research information, gather data, and create media. It also may include digital camcorders, iPod touches, and more, which may include already set applications to help the learner. This digital backpack allows the learner to understand, express their understanding, and promotes the interest of the learner. This article talks about testing the results of using digital backpacks that are available for multiple age groups, and found that the digital backpacks are helpful because it supports multiple means of representing instructional material. The authors conclude the article with instructions on how to build your own digital backpack.

Question 1: Would you implement a digital backpack in your 3^rd grade class?

I would try to use this as much as possible because these students are very tech savvy, and allowing them to use the various forms of digital media to learn can be very hands-on, visually stimulating, and they also get to work as groups to figure out how to gather their information using which method, and they would be able to present their findings to their classmates. Like the research of digital backpacks used at the zoo field trip, it could be great for a number of different lessons as well.

Question 2: What could be some challenges of implementing the digital backpack in your 3^rd grade class?

Not all students have access to a lot of technological devices. Their technological levels vary depending on multiple factors, and trying to teach some kids how to use a device while the other kids are anxious because they are growing impatient and bored of the instructions on how to use something they already know how to use. However, this could also be a good thing, because the students who do know how to use it, can learn to teach their classmates that don’t know how to use it, and that can be an interactive thing as well – learning to present their knowledge in a clear manner.