In Allan Collins & Richard Halverson's text Rethinking Education in the Age of Digital Technology: The Digital Revolution and Schooling in America, the authors present two conflicting arguments for the education system today. The primary argument is that of the technology enthusiast. This educator sees the immense value of technology integration in the learning process in response to the changing ways we think and communicate. Specifically, "technology enthusiasts believe that computers can provide the kinds of immersive, customized, and adaptive learning opportunities that can reach the children who fail in schools...the challenge....is to build technology into the core practices of school" (Collins & Halverson, 2009, p. 29). Benefits for tech integration of this extent include an increase in rich interactions, learner control, and reflections, to name a few.
The skeptic argues that the barriers to tech integration outweigh the benefits. Perceived impediments include high costs, unequal access, time and instructional constraints, and community pushback. These educators support traditional schooling methods such as uniformity, standardized assessments, and learning by assimilation.
In a spectrum with enthusiasm at the far left and skepticism at the far right, I feel I fall 2/3 of the way left. I agree with the majority of arguments set forth in the enthusiasts argument, but I still recognize the value and criticality of certain traditional schooling methods. One reason is the uncertainty of the future of our world and technology's role in this world. While I don't feel that technology is going anywhere, political, fiscal, and even atmospheric conditions contribute to the ambiguity of the coming years. In the event of a tragic, world altering occurrence, would a society that relies solely on technology be capable of bouncing back like those from our greatest generation? For reasons such as this, I feel it is important to strike a balance between technology-infused and traditional education methods.
Question of the day: Where do you fall on the spectrum? Why?
Personally, I am an enthusiast with some trepidation. The potential customization of education is intriguing because one size does not fit all, especially when it comes to education. My concern is in the delivery of a personalized education system that tech enthusiasts project, without the proper training of best practice and methodology for all the stakeholders. Where is this happening in teaching training programs now? We are traveling down a path very quickly, but we are reacting instead of being proactive and creating solid programs to help these programs succeed.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds just about where I fall into place as well. I definitely DON'T see this happening presently. Hopefully we can build the proper foundations for implementing these types of programs before implementing programs.
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