I really liked how in the first section it talks about how to use technology in the classroom for visual aides to help explain concepts to children, while making the process easier. In the second reason, I agree that it is helpful with a child learning a new language to be able to converse with someone in that native tongue, but I feel that this sells the global learning aspect a bit short of the possibilities that are there. The third reason for education taking technology in a more active role was interesting to me that the whole argument was to make it easier to manipulate statistics to make a child be able to0 understand percentages while only having to tweek certain numbers in an equation and then be able to see how this will effect the outcome of the equation. I think that the section on probes and sensors is the one that children would have the most fun working with, because children, I think, would enjoy the chance to have a more hands on role with technology and you would have a lot more interaction and this would bring the kids more into the lesson. The section on testing is of more benefit to the teacher and allows them to get more direct understanding of what the students are grasping and what needs to be explained a little bit more. The use of multi-media is one that really hits home in this class. This part explains the children's excitement over creating something that their peers will be able to see while teaching valuable lessons about the use of technology that the children will be able to use for years to comeeven after they have finished their formative education. The next idea about going to e-books is a great idea that I think should be used as soon as possible, however getting the funding so that every child has a device to read the book is something that is going tho be hard to get the money men to get behind. The last reason given in this article confused me as to the aspect it would serve in learning other than to teach students to become innovative thinkers.
All in all, this article has several good points to make about trying to get more technology to be used on the classroom. But, the main obstacle that I see in getting this change to come to fruition always comes back the bottom line. Then the only way that this will come to pass is if their is real, and detailed research done to show the benefits of any of these programs. I just don't think that it will happen in America until another country uses it full time, but by then our children will be far behind in the global market place.
Jordan,
ReplyDeleteI am your C4C this week. This article is a great find. The incorporation of visual aides into a lesson not only clarifies a concept, but makes the learning process fun and interactive. I too think the global learning presented in this article is a great technique, but could be broadened to include more areas of instruction. I have learned through EDM310 that technology allows students and teachers many great instructional techniques and ways of learning that traditional education does not. I think you have found an article that supports these ideas and gives educators incentive to incorporate technology into their lessons.