THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGYOVERVIEW
Mary Burns in the article,
"Tools for the Mind" addresses what the use of computers in education has brought to society. She begins by reviewing articles in the 1990's. In these articles is was hoped that computers would have a much more intellectual value in education today. The way computers are used in education today does not allow them to be utilized to their full potential. It is often thought computers are more for visual pleasure than deeper intellectual thought.
In the typical classroom the computer is often used only to show animations or presentations, as Mary Burns puts it, "show and tell". Computers can be used for much more complicated and in depth tasks but are often not. They are typically not used for such because they are not as appealing and appear to be much more confusing. The reason they are much more confusing is that many are not computer literate in that area, such as spreadsheets. A solution to this illiteracy is allowing students to create and analyze the information being entered.
REFERENCE POINTS
- Technology was thought to bring more intellectual value to schools today than what is available.
- Classroom computers are more often or not used for visual presentation that true interaction or technology.
- Computers are not used to full capacity.
- Usually not used to full capacity due to lack of educator ability.
- Technology is found to be confusing.
REFLECTION
The ability of instant, anonymous participation using clickers is amazing. Being able to ask a question where all students have to respond with their clicker allows an instant reading of understanding or comfort levels of the information. The classroom I am in this year uses allot of technology. This technology also creates games that allow the students to challenge each other during test reviews. I have to say I am all for technology. Today's students are natives to technology. If we want to communicate effectively with students we should do what can to engage them..
