Promise of Technology in Education
- Kids are coming out of a technology world – teachers should use it to teach
- Using data and online sources such as SurveyMonkey.com to evaluate and make decisions
- More resources at disposal
- Reach diverse learners with videos, audio, educational websites, games online
- Teachers can keep parents informed about what/how students are doing
- Teachers can research latest improvements in education to improve teaching skills
Problems of Technology in Education
- “Technology... the knack of so arranging the world that we don't have to experience it.” - Max Frisch
- Teachers need to be trained in it for it to be effective
- Make sure information is valid (websites)
- Can be expensive – where does funding for technology come from
- How do all schools get equal resources?
- Needs to be updated frequently
While there are contrasting opinions about integrating technology into the classroom, I believe the Internet and technology offer incredible promise and hope for education. First of all, many kids today are coming out of a world centered on technology. They are experts in video games, surfing the net, and making and watching digital videos. In this age of technology, it is important for teachers to realize the skills that students already have in technology and integrate these skills into class activities and assignments. If students start with something they are passionate about and have interest in, this will help motivate them in their work. For example if students enjoy spend time surfing the web, a possible assignment for a history class would be to produce a personal webpage on a designated topic with pictures, information, historical documents and other useful links. This project would involve the same research found in a research paper, but it would also add creativity to the project and give students important skills in technology and evaluating the authenticity of web pages.
Technology and the Internet can also be used to teach students about topics that would otherwise be impossible for them to understand and offer diverse perspectives on particular issues. Studying in Mexico over J-term, the most useful tool that I observed in the schools was the Internet and SmartBoards. The past president of Mexico, President Fox, worked to bring the Internet and SmartBoards to every public school classroom in Mexico. In the rural communities, many people are so isolated that they have no concept of what a city or what an airplane is, let alone understand different world cultures and places. These SmartBoards, which are connected to the Internet, help students to see pictures, read articles, and better understand the world, something that would be near to impossible without technology.
Technology can also be a great tool in producing more competent teachers. There are so many resources available on the Internet that teachers can use to enrich their classroom, form new skills, and share ideas with other teachers. Sharing and getting ideas from other teachers, is one of the best ways to improve ones own skills. Technology also allows for better communication between students, teachers, and parents. Students can stay updated on grades by online sites and can make a webpage, which shows the goals, expectations, and assignments in their classroom. Overall, technology is a very important part of education and learning today.
