Incorporating Technology in Education
As an advocate for incorporating technology in the classroom, I believe it is necessary to provide these opportunities to students to keep pace with what employers demand. We live in a society that is driven from technology and lacking these skills may mean the difference between success and failure. There does, however, need to be an appropriate balance between the use of technology in the classroom and other resources/strategies employed. I remember someone telling me when I was little that “too much of anything is not good.” I believe that rule applies here as well.
The article written by Neil Postman, suggests that technology takes away from teaching “soft skills” such as teamwork, discipline, and getting along with others. With an appropriate balance in place, these skills can still be learned and mastered appropriately. Hearing 8th graders taking 100% of their education online, however, would be an imbalance. This may result in students lacking the social skills that Postman explains. The author also considers technology to be a distraction in the classroom and takes away from other issues that should be addressed. This may or may not be true depending on the teacher. The teacher is responsible for choosing resources that are appropriate and may maximize the amount of learning, which may lead to including technology in a lesson. The effective teacher would also have rules in place to help establish an environment that is conducive to learning and regulate the use of technology that is available to students. Checking personal e-mail and social networking sites would be off limits while class is in session and it would be up to the teacher to ensure these policies are enforced.
The article written by Charles Reigeluth is more closely in line with my vision of incorporating technology in the classroom. Reigeluth presents several technologies: EPSS, computer-based tutorials, and computer-based simulations that can be utilized to facilitate learning. When I first started teaching at my tech center, I was amazed at the overall lack of technology available to students. During the past three years, I have made it a priority to implement several technologies into my classroom and others. We recently switched to a program called Examview for all summative assessments. The tests are deployed through the network and students get to experience computer-based testing first-hand. This is certainly not a new technology but it was something that our center did not previously have.
To prepare ourselves as instructors and to best equip our students with the knowledge and skillsets needed to succeed, we must strive to learn and incorporate technology in our classrooms. Programs that are opting not to pursue technology and training will soon become obsolete. Even Michigan’s new governor has made it one of his priorities to look towards technology when restructuring our current education system. We need to jump on board with making our programs ready, reliable, and relevant.
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