Will the Internet and Web have a major impact on educational programs at grades
K-12, and/or higher education and adult education?
It was interesting to read the history of the previous techonolgy advances. I keep asking myself why the radio, television and instructional films didn't impact education more. My only thought is that these sorts of technological advances only allowed the "student" to listen and watch. As we think about same question only applying to the use of computers in education, my response is that it does allow the "student" to interact at some level. In fact, it gives the "student" choices. The question is at what level of education will the impact be the greatest. My experience tells me that in the K-12 setting, and any setting for that matter, the use of computers and "technology" will only go as far as the budget allows. This not only includes the equipement that is needed but also the training. I don't feel that the K-12 educational system will be largely impacted until teachers have the knowledge to use it. This knowledge will need to start in our college education courses teaching the future education professions how to use techonolgy within their specialty. Technology can't be seen as a class that you take, but as a way to learn with all curricular areas. This mindset will take time to accomplish. I believe that with the use of the Web, the knowledge could be attained at a quicker pace, but it will still take time.
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5 comments:
You make a good point. Once the colleges transition and take the step using technology as a means rather than just a resource will we then see the impact being passed along. I do feel colleges and universities are already starting this trend i.e. distance learning, but more can be done and I'm sure with time we will see the changes starting to evolve.
Hey I think you make a great point about early technologies failing because all they did not have students interacting just listening or looking. Similar to a discussion or lecture that they could just do anyway. I think the best activities an technologies are the ones that or hand on and get the students involved. As you and others point out there are many ways the internet can accomplish this hands on approach.
I do think that Colleges and Universities should do more with technology and teaching future teachers how to use it.
K-12 students do need to know how to use technology. I think that it will save on time in terms of being able to look things up faster etc. But as stated in the chapter, I don't feel that it would help students learn any faster.
The only way that I could see students learning "faster" is if they had access to computers etc. at home and could practice. But not everyone has computers at home and the more that we use them in schools particularly k-12 the more behind those without may be.
At least in College and Adult Ed. you can usually go to the school and use their lab if you don't have access at home. I can't afford a computer and I use one from the university.
I agree with your point about k-12 education not really grasping technology without the proper funds first of all, and secondly because of improper training with teachers. I think that is where each of us that are educators taking classes such as these can learn about what is out there, and to share it with fellow teachers. That will not solve the money issue, but if we do our jobs and consult fellow teachers, then technology will improve beyond simple word processing and internet research.
-Karel
To go along with what you said about how ealier technologies only allowed students to listen and watch.... I think it is important that their are people on the for front looking to develop other types of technologies that both enhance current concepts being taught by former method (document cameras, smart boards, clicker systems, etc...) along with enhancing students creativity with technology (simulations, labs, design, manufacturing etc...) Schools seem to want to spend money only on the former and less on the latter. In my district especially we are a looking at spending a lot of money on tools to help teachers teach the same stuff in a prettier package. A pretty package is nice, but its better when the substance is greater inside of the package as well.
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