Blog #2

Blog #2

I am very impressed by Todd Oppenheimer’s The Flickering Mind.  He has a critical view about technology.  Oppenheimer does not think technology is the answer to all of our problems.  I liked his example of the use of film in the early 1900’s.  Thomas Edison stated “I believe that the motion picture is destined to revolutionize our educational system, and that in a few years it will supplant largely, if not entirely the use of text books.”  This did not happen.  Oppenheimer paints a realistic view about technology, a critical one, but realistic especially if you do consider history and technology predictions.  He also says we must be careful about how we use technology.

Tectonic takes a stance on appropriatness of technology and how it is being used.  I like the quote “we expose fourth graders to enabling stories like Charlottes Web and reserve darker works like Kafkas The Trial for a Much Later Time.  Technology should not replace hands on lessons, physically engaging activities and face to face language experience but enhance them.

Nets-s seems to be the most accepting of technology in a student’s education.  It gives a guide to using technology appropriately and not just technology for the sake of technology.  Students are still encouraged to interact and collaborate with their peers.

I believe that all three sources have a common theme, which in one word would be appropriateness.  Technology should be used appropriately, not just technology for the sake of technology, but to enhance education.  Technology should not dominate learning, but make it better.  Students need to know how to use a dictionary in order not to use a dictionary. 

TechBlog2

educaion philosophy technology

My education philosophy is closest to progressivism. I believe in learning by doing, hands on learning. Today technology is in every aspect of our lives and continually changing. My Space to Facebook, I-phone 1 to I-phone 4, VHS to DVD to Blue Ray. If you stop to think about it, it is incredible. Blockbuster is gone, and you can go to your computer to rent a movie. Driving around from store to store can be done in the comfort of your living room. If you would have told me ten years ago that this was going to happen I would have told you that you were crazy. If you can’t keep up, you will be left out, and it is important for students to not only keep up, but to hopefully surpass.

Integrating technology in the classroom will also help students feel confident to use the technology in their lives. A lot of people are afraid of technology because it is an unknown to them. They avoid it when it could actually help them and save time and money. By teaching students to use current technology they will become more comfortable with it and seek it out to help them in their studies and daily lives. I think technology is the future, and we need to teach the future.