The question posed above is one that is certainly asked often in the education world. Technology, as we know it today, is extremely pervasive in our daily lives; it is unavoidable in many cases. Many people, including myself, embrace these technological advances. I personally feel that my life has been advanced in many ways due to technology. However, I can also recognize negative issues people feel with technology, and there is quite a range of issues; how advanced should we allow weapons to become? What kind of risks do cell phones pose to our health? And, of course, how much technology should children be exposed to?
The Flickering Mind by Todd Oppenheimer, Tech Tonic by the Alliance for Childhood, and the NETS-S by the ISTE are three pieces of text that offer differing views on technology in education. In the Oppenheimer piece, the author takes a strong stance against the pervasiveness of technology in education. Though he does not seem to stand against any technology in our schools, he recognizes the technology gap between rich schools and poor schools, and this gap seems to trouble him deeply. Indeed, the technological differences between these types of schools are making the gap between the socioeconomic groups even greater, and it is something that should be changed. Any initiative to place technology in the classroom should be meant for all schools, but I do believe that such an initiative should take place.
Really, I believe Oppenheimer is taking issue with how technology is being used in education (not its existence in education), as is some of Tech Tonic. Both pieces charge that children are put in front of screens (or left in front of screens) too often, which damages their educational experiences and their social-emotional well-beings. Again, these are points that I agree with; computer-screens cannot replace teachers and textbooks. Computers and other sources of technology should enhance the educational experience. I strongly agree with a point made in the second piece, when the authors state that "we must approach our capacity to develop and use powerful new technologies with restraint and respect—a respect that takes into account its potential for enormous material, social, and ecological repercussions, both positive and negative," (p. 10). Technology should be used, but we should be aware of how we are using it and what effects that use will have on students and the education system. This piece goes on to describe how we can accomplish this in the classroom.
The NETS-S piece hosts a list of six expanded concepts that the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) feels should dictate the use of technology in education. The fifth concept, titled "Digital Citizenship" states, "Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior." This concept fits in well with the other two pieces, both which demand this idea in technology in education. In my mind, this means that these three differing opinions can be reconciled. Perhaps Todd Oppenheimer will never embrace technology in education as the Alliance for Childhood or the ISTE will, but I do believe that if we take the proper measures with teaching technology to our students and using it in our classrooms, it can be a successful tool for education.
There is a need to be wary of education; there is no need to stand against it, at least in education. Yes, it is a matter of choice if one chooses to use it in their daily life or to what extent they use it, but it should be included in education, in a safe and productive manner.
I haven't finished reading Oppenheimer yet, but I think that he specifically takes issue with the corporate influence and the conflict of interest that they might have in "selling" their technology in our educational institutions. Education is a huge consumer and quite often served on a plate if politicians mandate certain technological initiatives.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as Jim Davis pointed out in class, if the administration embraces a business model, they might buy into a recent innovation that then frequently is cumbersome in implementation, and we hold our breath and hope that we survive the storm as it blows past.
I really like your summary of the NETS-S piece and the Tech Tonic. They certainly have started the dialogue on how to incorporate technology while maintaining digital citizenship.
Yes, you're right. I've noticed that the issue with corporate influence is one of Oppenheimer's big issues. I think he has many great points on this issue. Education should not be a business. But there has to be a happy medium between rejecting technology and selling out to the big corporations. I suppose then, however, you get into a whole bunch of legal issues. It's a tough call, one that I'm not sure how to make, yet.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you explained Oppenheimer's issue with technology. I agree fully that he takes issue more so with the use of technology, and not the technology itself.
ReplyDeleteMy question to you is; do you think that it is the teacher's personal responsibility to learn how to properly manipulate the technology given, or should the "administration" be held responsible to educate the teachers how to use the technology?
Good point, Rob. As I mentioned in my other comments to classmates' blogs discussing the topic, in many cases, teachers and staff have not been properly educated and trained on how to use technology and implement it in the classroom. The administration that makes decisions on rather or not (and how much technology) to be implemented in the classroom must also take responsibility for educating and training(or failing to do so)teachers and staff on how to use and implement technology to help increase the students’ creativity and innovation as well as their academic growth.
ReplyDeleteI think you identify the Big Issues with technology in education. Equity is a big one, and appropriate use is another big one. I think all teaching is done with some technologies; now though the technologies available are so powerful and complex that it is easy to be overwhelmed by them. I very much agree that finding the "safe and productive zone" is an important skill for teachers to develop.
ReplyDeletePer Rob and Forlost, successful integration (which begs definition -- appropriate, seamless, supportive of goals, non-disruptive?) of technology is one of the big challenges for teachers -- often it is like building a boat in the water, as someone described it to me. Regardless of who is pushing it, whether the teacher or administration, the challenges will be there of making it all work for the students' benefit.
jd