Finally, an idea that has some merit! Technology by itself isn't a miracle cure. It won't make people smarter or fix problems with inequality. On the other hand, it's not an unavoidable curse either. It won't make people immoral or cause the breakdown of our society. It can't do anything without the people who use it.
People who are creatively using technology in new ways and combinations can pave the way for learning in all disciplines. Students are bored in school-- they're memorizing facts that they will promptly forget after the test, and these facts are being fed to them from decades-old chalkboards, or the tried-and-true PowerPoint presentations. Applying creativity to the available technology can change the way students are given information. Hopefully, students will start being taught to think for themselves.
Perhaps showing a news clip from a tumultuous time in history, and asking the students to react to the clip (instead of simply telling them what happened and when and moving on) would be a creative way of teaching history using technology. If asked to respond to the clip, the emotion they feel as they react will help them remember. The open-ended response will let them form their own opinions regarding the event, beyond accepting the spoon-fed dates and other facts. They could very possibly get a better grasp of what they're being taught, as well as learning other valuable skills such as critical thinking and evaluation.
In a kindergarten classroom, creative uses of technology still have their place. Using a SMARTboard as an interactive way to take attendance or make charts. Integrating the technology that is part of their world into the classroom in new and creative ways can engage the students and encourage learning in ways never thought of before.
Creativity applied to technology can expand learning in every discipline, not only in a school setting but in the business world and beyond.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Inequality: An Unfortunate Reality
This week I'm supposed to discuss whether or not I believe that teaching online classes could eliminate inequality in school districts. Quite frankly, I'm not sure what sort of inequality is meant, so I'm not certain how to go about responding. However, I believe that online classes gives many people the opportunity to receive an education that would otherwise be lost to them. Districts with more poor communities, with families that need everyone who can to work (often during school hours) can still get an education through online classes. They can still view the course material and listen to lectures after school hours when they're not working. This would help to reduce the inequality between school districts.
While this or other suggestions could potentially reduce inequality, I think it's foolish to believe that anything will completely eliminate it. People and the world we live in are broken and sinful, and no matter how hard we try (and we should try as hard as we can), there will always be inequality until Christ returns to a new heaven and a new earth.
While this or other suggestions could potentially reduce inequality, I think it's foolish to believe that anything will completely eliminate it. People and the world we live in are broken and sinful, and no matter how hard we try (and we should try as hard as we can), there will always be inequality until Christ returns to a new heaven and a new earth.
Boys Love Expensive Toys
"Technology eliminates gender inequality in schools."
What an interesting proposition. I've never heard such a claim before. After thinking about it, I don't really see how it could. The technology itself can't really be biased. Links will do the same thing no matter who clicks on them. But there are still people in schools. There are still teachers and other students and faculty members who often exhibit a gender bias without even realizing it. Technology can be a great aid in the classroom and beyond, but it can't fix everything. It's the people who need to be honest with themselves and make an effort to call on boys AND girls to answer questions, to give both genders the opportunity to come up to the board, and to display student work equally.
One thing I have noticed concerning the relationship between technology and gender is that males are generally more into it. They get more excited about it, are generally better at using it, and generally dominate technological professions. Without a doubt there are plenty of females who do the same thing. However, I think males have got us beat on that one.
With that in mind, teachers should be mindful of how their students are interacting with the technology in the classroom. If they're having trouble with it, be patient and explain. Perhaps they should work in boy-girl teams, and make sure each person gets a significant amount of time using it. Maybe if girls are exposed to the technology more, with someone patiently explaining it to them, then males won't be so dominant in the realm of technology in the future.
What an interesting proposition. I've never heard such a claim before. After thinking about it, I don't really see how it could. The technology itself can't really be biased. Links will do the same thing no matter who clicks on them. But there are still people in schools. There are still teachers and other students and faculty members who often exhibit a gender bias without even realizing it. Technology can be a great aid in the classroom and beyond, but it can't fix everything. It's the people who need to be honest with themselves and make an effort to call on boys AND girls to answer questions, to give both genders the opportunity to come up to the board, and to display student work equally.
One thing I have noticed concerning the relationship between technology and gender is that males are generally more into it. They get more excited about it, are generally better at using it, and generally dominate technological professions. Without a doubt there are plenty of females who do the same thing. However, I think males have got us beat on that one.
With that in mind, teachers should be mindful of how their students are interacting with the technology in the classroom. If they're having trouble with it, be patient and explain. Perhaps they should work in boy-girl teams, and make sure each person gets a significant amount of time using it. Maybe if girls are exposed to the technology more, with someone patiently explaining it to them, then males won't be so dominant in the realm of technology in the future.
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