The Time for Technology (EDLD 5362 Week One)

Although it feels as if we cannot live without technology, it was not that long ago that computers were rare and technology was limited. Not only was technology rare at home, but within the education field as well. Instruction was completely different than how it is now due to the different theories. But how students need to be taught is even more different because of technology. Teaching and instructional strategies have changed tremendously from 20 years ago to today. When interviewing a teacher who taught 20 years ago, she discussed the huge differences. For instance, teaching reading has changed a lot. She informed me that when she first began teaching 27 years ago, teaching reading was very scripted. It was very step by step. Students were taught to read certain words in specific stories. They were not taught to expand their knowledge to other disciplines or to the real world. She believes that if they had the Internet we do now, back then, that there would not have been much use for it because there was a scripted system you used and you did not do much else. Whereas now, teaching reading is geared toward real life situations. Students are taught to sound out any word they can see. They are taught to expand their knowledge across the curriculum because learning is not isolated within its subject. When interviewing a veteran teacher, she believes there is now a huge different in how students used to be taught and how they need to be taught now. Back then, she discussed that students were much easier to entertain. Students interests were not the main concern when teaching, but she feels now that they must be number one because it seems that if a student is not interested, they will not learn. Students are now exposed to so many exciting and cool things, that their interest levels are more challenging to adapt to in order to keep focus. Before, students could work with the same activity and be entertained for many hours, but now you must change things over and over or have plenty of options for students to choose from or else they will lose focus. Learning theories today are more developed than they used to be. My interview with a veteran teacher recalled the biggest learning theory being that of Piaget and developmentally appropriate learning. Bloom’s Taxonomy was also a theory which is now in practice. Today, we have a lot more theories on instructional strategies, like cooperative learning. Technology back then would not have been useful because of the way things were taught. The scripted learning did not allow for the use of learning games via the computer or Internet. The students were not necessarily taught to transfer the learning towards the real world so reading on the Internet would not have been used. Technology today is the most beneficial resource used. According to Pew Internet & American Life Project, students use the Internet for writing papers, completing assignments, correspondence with classmates about upcoming projects, online tutors and study groups, as well as online classes. Students have to opportunity to expand their knowledge farther than what the teacher provides in the classroom. In fact, it is encouraged by the use of research projects and online activities within classes. Pew Internet & American Life Project also expresses how “most teenagers say the Internet’s ability to help them with their schoolwork and to help them learn new things is one of its best features.” Students can research tips, tools, and tutoring information to help them when homework may be difficult. Students can also access information posted on a teachers website from home to help them when not in the classroom. The USDLA Journal stated that “The miracle of the Internet was supposed to let great teachers reach any student, any subject, any time, and anywhere,” which is the biggest positive for technology in our educational world. This allows students to learn anywhere and anytime. This encourages life-long learning rather than just learning when at school. Technology is the best thing to happen to our educational system. We may have some difficulties to face when it comes to how it affects students focus. But the possibilities and opportunities are endless. Our goal as teachers is to instill a love of learning in each and every student that crosses our path. Technology does just that by offering the ability to learn at the touch of a button. References Arsham, H. (2002, March). Impact of the internet on learning and teaching. USDLA Journal, 16.3. Retrieved on November 17, 2009, from http://www.usdla.org/html/journal/MAR02_Issue/article01.html Graziano, M., Lenhart, A., & Simon, M. (2001, September 1). The internet and education: Findings of the pew internet and American life project. Pew Internet and American Life Project. Retrieved on November 17, 2009, from http://pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2001/PIP_Schools_Report.pdf.pdf Levin, D., & Arafeh, S. (2002). The digital disconnect: The widening gap between internet-savvy students and their schools. Pew Internet and American Life Project. Retrieved on November 17, 2009, from http://pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2002/PIP_Schools_Internet_Report.pdf.pdf