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.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI also remember atari &, specifically, when the original Nintendo game system came out. I didn't have any idea about computers or computer software. But, I sure was interested in using it! You also mentioned that schools are social systems and I agree. Technology is being used in a great way to communicate today through social networking. Educational institutions have at their hands a great task and a great opportunity to help their faculty, staff, and students by helping then with their technological skills. I agree, also, that collaboration is very important for every organization! It is obvious, though, that there are different perspectives in the various entities that you mentioned.
Thanks!
-Chris
Thank you for responding Chris! We thought we were doing something when we had atari! I think in 10 years from now technology will grow even more so that we won't even be using many of the technology components that we currently use!
ReplyDeleteLea,
ReplyDeleteI learned to type on a typewriter my parents got me one year for Christmas. It was the best gift they could have ever given meJ I am young, so don’t date yourself! I used them tooJ
I think that accountability is a double edge sword in schools. I think that holding people accountable for their jobs is so important. I do not want teachers teaching my child if they are not proficient, so I like that aspect. I also think whole schools should not be able to be failing and children be mandated to attend those schools, so the laws that enable students to go to other schools is a blessing. On the negative side of accoutnability is excessive stress. The importance of single test administrations on teachers, students, and all other stakeholders has changed education. I feel benchmark tests and final tests need to be administered rather than relying on a single test administration.
The advancement in technology has been incredible. I love that there is so much attention on educational software and that research has really picked up on examining effective strategies and implementations. Even though a couple decades of improvements have occurred with software, it is hard to prove that something has been implemented effectively until research is completed.
I too agree that schools are social systems and the needs of the stakeholders need to be considered in decisions that are made for the children of that school.
Collaboration is something I have learned to appreciate. I am very independent, but through teaching, I have learned that I need others! There is a vast amount of information and strategies available. There is entirely too much information for one person to sift through, so collaborating eases that burden and allows free sharing of ideas, methods, and resources! I like that you stated that we should be communicating with other countries about what works for them. I know our math system could improve by either China or Japan’s system. The whole country does the same module the same day, use the same text, and have the same assignment. There are TV supplements implemented to reinforce the comments learned that day. I don’t know if this country will collaborate to that extent, but how powerful!
I enjoyed your posting and I hope my comments extended your own thoughts.
Lea,
ReplyDeleteThe advancement of technology is happening very fast. My children are exposed to some much more than I was at their ages. I am looking forward for what's to come. And as a parent I am learning to ba;ance the use of technology of and by my children.