Online Learning

I've been inspired and intrigued lately by my younger sisters, namely in regards to their experience with technology and education, and how this experience differs from my own. This time, course readings sparked a conversation with my youngest sister, an upcoming high school sophomore. I was curious to know what her typical school experience with technology looked like. On average, she uses computers once or twice per month. This pales in comparison to the texts, tweets, snapchats, and instagrams she sends: around 200 per day! Clearly, additional evidence supporting the disconnect between technology usage in and out of school is unnecessary. But strangely, even amidst total immersion in technology in her personal life, my sister described teachers who use "step-by-step* online learning are usually just the teachers who are lazy and don't want to teach" I'm not sure quite what step-by-step lessons entail- she said the learning system "doesn't adjust to whether you get answers right or wrong, it just teaches you things you learned in a lesson previously". I do know, however, that when an individual so tightly tied to digital interaction describes teachers who use these materials alongside regular instruction as lazy, they are indicating a strong cultural understanding of "the nature of the teaching and learning practices"(Collins & Halverson, 2009, pg. 35). If it is difficult for teens to understand the necessity for education reform and technology integration, just imagine what a process it must be for veteran teachers, leaders, parents, and politicians!! It is up to the technophiles and the cautious optimists (Cuban, 1993) to lead the way for a restructuring of the education system to meet the demands of this digital age. 

Question of the day: Think of all the classes you've taught, observed, or participated in. On average, how many times per month is technology used to enhance instruction in these classes?