When should computer education begin? As soon as a child is born if it were up to me. I only say that because the early the child becomes familiar it appears the more advanced the child is due to lack of fear. Lets look at the baby boomers most of them are afraid of computers, don't understand the fascination and think they will blow as soon as they touch it. They dont want any part of the computer unless it is work related.
Today most children by the age of 7 have already been exposed to computers either at home or in school. Their are many advantages to using computers they can increase dexterity, critical thinking and problem solving. Although the upper grade level students may have more subject related task they are responsible for that require them to use computer, the same can be done at the elementary level. I look at my 9 yr. old he loves the computer and he is way more advanced than I was at 7 years old on a typewriter because of the large amounts of information computers gives them access too. On the flip side of that I don't believe elementary or middle grade students should be unsupervised on the computer because there is a higher risk of them being manipulated.
If our educational system in the United States advances to a technocentric system then we all as educators are at risk of being unemployed. I pray we are centuries away from classrooms without teachers because communication, human activity and stimulation can not be replaced by computers. Many of you may remember the Jetson's cartoon where everything in their home was computerized including the teacher. You may disagree when I say that "a student is able to learn by technology alone", but I think it is possible. However, there are expections to the rule. Skill level and comprehension of a student especially at the elementary & middle grade level are less likely to be able to pick up instructions and perform an instructional task with no problems. I realize the importance of human interaction and the ability of a teacher to motivate, encourage, stimlate, and guide which are reasons many students like school. But, I would almost bet the farm that education as we know it with teachers in every classroom will be a thing of the past.
Special education students can benefit from technology phyically, mentally, cognitively and socially. They are able to work with people all over the world if they are immobile. If they have challenges such as hearing, speech and visually imparied they have software to assist them in communication in order to use these computers. Students are able to participate in class or stay home and not be limited in regards to education and be challenged at the same time. Technolgy should be used for these students as early and as often as possible to alleviate any barriers to their educational experience.
Computers in education is a wonderful tool but can be abused by educators and students alike. If they are being used in the classroom they should not be used as a baby sitting device but as a tool to enhance the subject being taught. More importantly, lower socio-economic groups should not be punished and not provided technology resources just because they are in a certain part of town or in a certain income bracket. Every student deserves an equal, quality education and provided the same tools in whatever form necessary in order to be successful.
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Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Week 1 Chapters 1 & 2
Then & Now
It seems just like yesterday when I was taking typing in high school and today if you ask an elementary student what a type writer is they would probably look at you with a look of confusion. I had no idea when I was playing atari video games as a child that I was actually in the beginning stages of companies marketing and designing computer software for children. It was until parents bought these gaming systems that teachers and administrators began to realize that children were becoming more computer illiterate than the adults.
In the early 70's state required education departments to collect data, monitor performace, and student demographics to recieve funding. By the 80's small computers became more accessible which helped administrators develp and or convert existing technology applications and software. By the 90's nearly every school in america has a computer in the classroom and school districts have designed more sopisticated systems of reporting. Today, we have online instruction programs like Liberty University and nearly every child has access to a computer or uses a technology device daily.
I tend to agree with the text that the schools are ssocial systems and in any social system their are different people that require different needs. However, all of these people have a profound affect on the environment in which we live and should be taken into consideration when making educational and technological plans.
Collaboration is the most important element of educational planning process to me. In saying that I believe collaboration is the downfall of the eduational system in the United States. We do not collaborate enough in the United States to find out what is working in our Educational system and what isn't. We should be collaborating with other countries in regards to education and technology to determine which way to go and fix what needs to be fixed.
Education and technology affects each and every one of us regardless if we are at school, home, hospital, or in an airplane. The expertise of various entites should be taken into consideration in both arenas. I believe it is important to examine and take into consideration the parents, students, administrators, businesses, scientists, analyst and govenment entities perspectives to ensure the communities needs are being met. In addition, it increases the chances for its success because each entity has brought a diffent perspective or challenge that may have otherwise been overlooked.
It seems just like yesterday when I was taking typing in high school and today if you ask an elementary student what a type writer is they would probably look at you with a look of confusion. I had no idea when I was playing atari video games as a child that I was actually in the beginning stages of companies marketing and designing computer software for children. It was until parents bought these gaming systems that teachers and administrators began to realize that children were becoming more computer illiterate than the adults.
In the early 70's state required education departments to collect data, monitor performace, and student demographics to recieve funding. By the 80's small computers became more accessible which helped administrators develp and or convert existing technology applications and software. By the 90's nearly every school in america has a computer in the classroom and school districts have designed more sopisticated systems of reporting. Today, we have online instruction programs like Liberty University and nearly every child has access to a computer or uses a technology device daily.
I tend to agree with the text that the schools are ssocial systems and in any social system their are different people that require different needs. However, all of these people have a profound affect on the environment in which we live and should be taken into consideration when making educational and technological plans.
Collaboration is the most important element of educational planning process to me. In saying that I believe collaboration is the downfall of the eduational system in the United States. We do not collaborate enough in the United States to find out what is working in our Educational system and what isn't. We should be collaborating with other countries in regards to education and technology to determine which way to go and fix what needs to be fixed.
Education and technology affects each and every one of us regardless if we are at school, home, hospital, or in an airplane. The expertise of various entites should be taken into consideration in both arenas. I believe it is important to examine and take into consideration the parents, students, administrators, businesses, scientists, analyst and govenment entities perspectives to ensure the communities needs are being met. In addition, it increases the chances for its success because each entity has brought a diffent perspective or challenge that may have otherwise been overlooked.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
I can do all things through Christ which provides my strength Phil. 4:13
Good Evening Everyone:
Confession, I have never blogged or created a blog always heard the word but never gave it much thought! I started a tweeter account but I dont really understand it. But, whenever I am facing new challenges or rough times I say to myself "I can do all things through Christ which provides my strength." Phil. 4:13 and that is how I plan to make it through this course. I look forward to learning alot and working with each of you and I am always looking toward the finish line! I pray to see all of you at the end!
Lea (Aletta Stroder)
Confession, I have never blogged or created a blog always heard the word but never gave it much thought! I started a tweeter account but I dont really understand it. But, whenever I am facing new challenges or rough times I say to myself "I can do all things through Christ which provides my strength." Phil. 4:13 and that is how I plan to make it through this course. I look forward to learning alot and working with each of you and I am always looking toward the finish line! I pray to see all of you at the end!
Lea (Aletta Stroder)
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