The Internet has been both a blessing and a curse, and in more ways than one! However, for the purposes of information, knowledge, and learning, it is a vast resource. In my opinion, it has changed the concept of knowledge and learning in one major aspect, as portrayed in statements by two different educators I know: “It’s not how much you can pull from memory; it’s knowing how to find the correct information.” I think it is important for children to learn keyboarding skills early, as well as the tools that are available in the Microsoft Office package (such as the awesome capability to build a bibliography as you go). I also feel it would be good for students to learn early the types of sites that are considered credible for the purpose of research (it is shocking to me that several college students still feel Wikipedia is a credible source for citing). Emailing, as well, while it may soon be antiquated, is currently a skill that a child can scarcely do without in today’s world, let alone the world of education. The ability to contact a teacher with questions or corroborate with another student on a project is nearly vital for the modern student.
All of these skills are necessary for today’s student. Many students will have some of these skills in place before elementary schools even consider training them, simply from their personal use at home. Still many more will have little or no experience (every home does not have a computer or access to the internet, contrary to what some might think). So, for the purpose of planning technology education in our primary and secondary schools, and to prepare our young people so they don’t miss the proverbial boat, we should implement all of the above, and I’m sure, several I have not considered.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
The love/hate relationship of technology in education
I have learned so much about technology that frankly, it's mind-boggling. For someone of my generation, who did not even have access to computers during the 1970's and mid-80's, and who has yet to own an IPod or Blackberry, the idea of building my own website or blog is astounding! It is also intimidating.
I realize, as children grow up with more and more available to them in the form of technology, that it is paramount for teachers to keep up with trends in technology. Many children today, I am sure, have never cracked open an encyclopedia...they have, however, used Encarta online, or Google-d their way through research papers and just simple curiosity. For a teacher of my age, for whom it is no big deal to do so myself, to ask a modern student to go to the library and pull out a reference material off the stacks is nearly sacrilege!
It is, therefore, that I delve further into this odd world of technology in, and for, education. I can see great possibilities for my future language arts classes. Students will learn modern methods of having their work peer-edited, as their work is posted on their own blog, or submitted through a site such as Creative Commons. They will hear criticism (constructive, I hope) from those who are outside their socio-economic setting, and this alone can be an invaluable asset. Many students never get an opportunity to leave their hometown and hear points of view outside of their small circle of friends and family. Technology, however, is changing this rapidly. A modern student would not be shocked to see posts from not only other states, but other countries and continents. Yet, for still so many, this opportunity is only available at school, as they are not able to afford computers and/or internet access at home.
With this said, it is even more important that we, as teachers, allow our students every opportunity to be exposed to the technology that will, with no doubt in my mind, be a focus point of their lives and an integral part of future employment.
So...with that said, my love-hate relationship with technology will have to be resolved into a determination to better understand, and utilize, technology...if not for my benefit, then for the betterment of my future students!
I realize, as children grow up with more and more available to them in the form of technology, that it is paramount for teachers to keep up with trends in technology. Many children today, I am sure, have never cracked open an encyclopedia...they have, however, used Encarta online, or Google-d their way through research papers and just simple curiosity. For a teacher of my age, for whom it is no big deal to do so myself, to ask a modern student to go to the library and pull out a reference material off the stacks is nearly sacrilege!
It is, therefore, that I delve further into this odd world of technology in, and for, education. I can see great possibilities for my future language arts classes. Students will learn modern methods of having their work peer-edited, as their work is posted on their own blog, or submitted through a site such as Creative Commons. They will hear criticism (constructive, I hope) from those who are outside their socio-economic setting, and this alone can be an invaluable asset. Many students never get an opportunity to leave their hometown and hear points of view outside of their small circle of friends and family. Technology, however, is changing this rapidly. A modern student would not be shocked to see posts from not only other states, but other countries and continents. Yet, for still so many, this opportunity is only available at school, as they are not able to afford computers and/or internet access at home.
With this said, it is even more important that we, as teachers, allow our students every opportunity to be exposed to the technology that will, with no doubt in my mind, be a focus point of their lives and an integral part of future employment.
So...with that said, my love-hate relationship with technology will have to be resolved into a determination to better understand, and utilize, technology...if not for my benefit, then for the betterment of my future students!
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