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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I think you may have a point as to a possible drawback to younger children using technology. You say that “there is a higher risk of them being manipulated”. I think this is true without supervision and limitations. Just because we allow students on a computer does not mean we lose control of the content or where they go on the computer. They do not necessarily need to have access to the Internet, and if they do there are ways to limit its use. Because of this the instructor still needs to have a plan of how they will incorporate technology at all ages.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right in the fact that it is possible for a student to learn from technology alone. My concerns here would be of direction, and social needs. I know how easy it is for me to loose focus as an adult, and remember it being worse as a youth. If a child is taught through technology alone someone would have to hold them accountable for doing all of the work, and staying engaged. My other concern is of the social needs of a child. Children need to learn how to interact with others, and make friends. If technology is to take over completely, then some type of social environment would need to develop to replace the current school environment.
I think you are absolutley correct, the need for a child to be social is cruicual. I think technology is awesome but too much can be too much if the students are monitored, and challenged. The ability to communicate helps students in all aspects of their lives.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your participation!
Excellent job of identifying the potential "babysitting" problem with technology. I have a feeling that would be more likely to happen with teachers who look for the easy way out without technology also.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it's even possible to get to an education system that doesn't feature a teacher/facilitator no matter how advanced technology becomes. Smart technology still requires instruction and collaboration at nearly every point. It will be interesting to see what the actual classroom looks like in the future (if a centralized classroom even exists).
Joe Greene
Thanks for responding Joe, I too would like to see where online instruction leads us. I cant even imagine classrooms without some type of instructor/facilitator, but unfortunately, I think it is our descendents future!
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