After watching the “A Vision of Students Today” video:
I really don’t understand how people could thing that current teaching methods have become obsolete. How hard could it be to sit and listen to what an instructor is saying? There’s no reason or excuse for not wanting to learn—isn’t that what we’re going to school for? Yes, technology can definitely help and assist classroom learning, but it shouldn’t overtake it. If we all sat in front of our computers and technology all day, would we really learn how to socialize amongst one another? Would it really make learning any better?
“The inventor of the system deserves to be ranked among the best contributors to learning and science, if not the greatest benefactors of mankind.”
- Josiah F. Bumstead 1841
…on the benefits of the chalkboard
I really can appreciate when technology is used to assist learning in the classroom. I think PowerPoint has really made a big difference in presentations. It’s so much more organized than an overhead projector and it’s so much easier to read. This is the kind of technology that I believe helps in a classroom. After all, the chalkboard was once a brilliant piece of technology that aided the growth of classroom learning.
It’s the outside technology—cell phones and laptops—that have proven to be a hindrance. I have a younger sister who texts all throughout her school day—is she even learning anything? How about people who surf the web or play games on their laptop during class. Why even bother showing up if you’re not going to pay attention.
I think it’s incredible that you can now take courses online. This has helped so many people who normally wouldn’t be able to attend college. To cut down on the ridiculous cost of gas, I decided to take two courses online this semester so I drive to the campus twice a week. Though I am having a bit of trouble adjusting, it seems like it’s beginning to run smoother.
Being able to multi-task seems to be critical for students nowadays. It can get extraordinarily hard to juggle my life with school work sometimes, but I’ve only gotten better with practice. I was always taught to be very respectful of teachers—when I’m at school I should focus on school. If you’re attending college, it’s by choice in which case you should want to learn. There’s no excuse for spending too much time surfing the web or Myspacing so much that you weren’t able to get your work done. Are we so wrapped up in technology that we can’t put it aside for a short time? In my opinion, it sounds like a matter of being unable to prioritize.
There’s no reason why technology can’t be a part of a person’s life as long as it’s in a limited dose. Although I feel as though technology has become a double-edged sword, there’s no reason to have it taking away from other aspects of our lives.
Sometimes, instead of saving us, technology only hinders.
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2 comments:
Technology has it's benefits, but like most people everyone gets a little dependent every now and then. It's hard not to get the latest little gadgets here and there. Internet on phones and computers can be very helpful. (GPS, TV, etc)-it's mostly all about the information. And furthermore, what our society condiders as information or credible information.
I just wanted to comment on what you said about traditional ways of teaching. I agree that students need to learn how to sit and listen sometimes. Although lectures can be quite boring to many people, sometimes it is the best way to get a lot of information to the students. Also, think about all the people that attend "lecture" style seminars paying a lot of money to listen to someone talk. That is basically what a lot of college courses are...you pay a bunch of money to listen to your professor talk.
On the other hand, I do have a problem with lecturing at the elementary level. Students in 5th grade right now were born in 1998...they are digital natives, and electronics/ technology is engrained in their lives. I think the attention spans are different, not better or worse, just different.
I definitely agree that all educators should incorporate BOTh technology & "old-fashioned" techniques...that way you are learning in your familiar way, AND gaining a new perspective.
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