I would like to start this post by saying that I don't believe everyone will always agree on the proper way to implement technology into teacher instruction and academic curriculum. However, I do believe there is a way to analyze what Oppenheimer, the Alliance for Childhood, and NET-S has said about technology in the classroom, and produce a technology literacy program that could be beneficial to students.
Oppenheimer made it very clear in his book The Flickering Mind that he believes technology has not benefitted America's classroom and that it has even hindered learning (through evidence of programs and studies). I think Oppenheimer made a very strong point in his first chapter when he said that America pushed for all these computers to be brought into the classroom, but once they got there the teachers and students had no idea how to use them to their full capacity. It wasn't necessarily that students and teachers couldn't understand how to use the computers, but there had been no proper training or guidance on how to use these new devices. Therefore, the promise that education would be revolutionized with the introduction of the computer had not been delivered.
The Alliance for Childhood is close to what we are aiming for I believe. They are pointing out that it is not necessary to have technology take over our classroom because of the need for our students to develop on their own without any crutches, but that we can incorporate computers and other technology into our instruction to enhance student learning. I personally like the Technology Literacy Program and the teacher candidate suggestions they have outlined in Tech Tonic. From personal experience, I have definitely been in classes where I spent more time trying to figure out how to use a program than I spent on going through the actual content needed to be presented. This is what we need to avoid. The NET-S outlines a great way to have teacher's use technology in the classroom by providing black and white suggestions.
Knowing what Oppenheimer has said about technology in the classroom, I think it is first important that before it be introduced to students, teacher's are able to fully explain and use the device or program. After this had been accomplished, it is the role of the teacher to then implement this new technology literacy without letting the technology take over the classroom learning experience. It is important for our students to develop on their own without spellcheck and various other technological tools that have made it easier for students today. However, as educators we must always remember that we are the ones who created technology in the first place and we are the individuals in charge of the technology. We must learn the necessary skills for life without the aid of a computer or other technology, but once this quality has been digested by our students, then we can introduce technology to enhance learning, communicating, expression, and understanding of new material.
Julianne,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment about not everyone will agree how to implement technology correctly into the classrooms. I also feel teachers need to learn the technology she/he chooses to implement in the classroom. Schools should schedule professional development days to allow teachers time and practice to view new materials to use in their classrooms. I feel if teachers would feel comfortable with the equipment and could answer students questions then students learning will be more beneficial.
Julianne,
ReplyDeleteYou are right when you say that all educators may never agree on technology in the classrooms. Personally, I feel that it is here to stay, so as teachers we must learn to work with it and teach our students to do the same. I also agree with the above comment which says that schools and districts should be responsible for professional development in technology. Perhaps educational legislation should stop focusing so much on standards and perhaps move towards something like technology.
I agree that for technology to be successfully integrated into the classroom, teachers need time to master the technology itself, as well as how to work it into lessons in appropriate ways. One of the big challenges for teachers I think is becoming proficient enough in a new technology to use it, and use it not just for its own sake, but because it adds something to the classroom. Larry Cuban has talked about this. One of his important works is _Oversold and Underused_, which pretty much speaks for itself.
ReplyDeleteEven if teachers are trained sufficiently, the other big challenge is knowing where it is appropriate.
jd