An interesting article was forwarded to me by a colleague this weekend. As we’ve discussed, funding for educational technology on a state and federal level are constantly being reduced and challenged. Here is the first few paragraphs, please follow the link for the rest.
Classrooms Have Become Unnecessarily High Tech
by Matt Baxter
“Three cheers for the non-stop, high-tech assault on the public school classroom. Hip! Hip! Hoo . . . what? Five billion dollars spent annually on education technology? Test-taking software that instantly tabulates on wireless devices and reports if the students have learned anything? Web design to show Grandma in Milwaukee the new art project?
The integration of technology into public schools has its place, because technology is obviously an important part of our lives. We need our children to be computer literate, so they can use the self-service checkout at the library and so they can keep up with the Joneses by ordering online. Whether the children grow up to be software programmers or they have to punch a clock, it’s all computers.
But exactly how important is it that we inundate the educational process, specifically elementary and middle schools? In high school, where future goals and plans are pinpointed, there could be more of a need for understanding the finer points of your friendly word processing program.
In the younger grades, however, students are learning how to learn, they are learning how to get along with those ubiquitous human creatures that still populate the earth. Very little in these early grades needs to be digital, electronic or high def.
Other potential crises include the constant need for technological assistance, ongoing teacher training, upgrades to systems and programs, and much more. Education is not inherently such a flexible institution. Things should be put in place that can work for more than one or two years before they become obsolete.
I don’t think 20-year-old science textbooks that tout the advent of the four-pound cellular telephone are particularly relevant, but most math, language, and social studies lessons from the good old days are still trustworthy. Why not just mark out any inexact passages with a forty-nine cent permanent marker rather than spending $30,000 on all new textbooks?”
Frequently educational issues like these are debated and rarely do students have a chance to weigh in and enter the fray of discourse. So, how neat would it be to have everyone in our class write out some thoughts and respond?! Whether you agree or not, they’re talking about you and what you ‘need for a good education.’ Perhaps you have something to say. But let’s refine our thoughts and writing before we make any hasty comments? They’ll be in digitally permanent ink, and have your name on them.
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