As I continue to delve into the subject matter of Educational Technology, I am pressed with the question about how much technology is needed? The courses that I have taken so far have caused me to think about what educational technology is, how it can be used, and why it should be used. When I reflect on my own learning, I can see that "electronic" educational technology, such as IWBs, mobile devices, laptops, etc. did not play a large part in my education. However, I believe that I was successful in my learning.
I have often reflected on how I could have been more successful in my learning when I was a child. What sort of things did I do that were successful? What things did I do that made me unsuccessful? What similarities did I have with other successful students? What do I expect out of my students to make them successful?
By keeping these questions in mind, I am able to look back at my education. I was highly motivated to learn in early elementary school. I had an intrinsic desire to do well, and that was shown by test scores, assignments, and overall grades. Throughout my schooling, I moved a couple of times, which created a disconnect in my learning. This, along with other issues, caused me to not enjoy school. My grades started to decline, and I became more interested in social acceptance. This brought me into my interest of electronics, such as computers and video games.
I filled my time with video games as much as I could. I would do my homework as quickly as possible in order to spend more time being entertained. This continued on and on, as long as I could maintain good grades, until I no longer could live that lifestyle, which was during college. I never developed the discipline of studying and doing my work well because I never had to.
I don't believe that our students' brains are changing. I don't believe they need to learn in a manner that revolves around technology. I don't believe that teachers need to adapt to the influx of technology. I don't believe we need to get rid of the old.
I believe a large portion of this problem revolves around parenting. I could have done much better had I been disciplined in this manner. I do not resent my parents for this or hold any bitterness, because if things had not gone this way, major events in my life may not have happened. However, I do believe that parents need to do a better job of parenting in order to help solve this problem. If children are constantly being bombarded by media, especially entertaining media such as television shows, movies, video games, etc. they are obviously going to be bored at school and not enjoy it because it is impossible to engage students this way at school. If there is no expectation at home to meet a standard, students will most likely not meet it. While I haven't had much teaching experience yet, I can see how parental involvement, support, and discipline has made certain children successful and others unsuccessful.
I am not a parent, so I do not understand all of the problems or difficulties that arise because of this. I firmly believe, however, that by creating a positive learning environment at home will help children be more successful in school as well. It seems that the control is being given to the children (which I have had many students affirm). The control needs to be back to those who should have the control.
Picture credit: http://www.jokeroo.com/pictures/funny/explain-these-bad-grades.html
Nathan, this is interesting, as you are one of the few people to raise the issue or parenting or the home environment as helping or hindering the push to teach with technology.
ReplyDeleteSeveral veteran teachers at my school say they feel bad that I have come into teaching in today's time. They have seen a drastic change in parental support and involvement, and the students have changed because of that environment as well. I think that many of these new educational theories arise because of how our society changes. There are many more single-parent families, dual income families, etc. This means that parents might not have enough time to put into their children's education. I think that children aren't as accountable for there actions because we have developed a reason to explain everything. I think the cartoon that I will post onto this entry will sum up what I mean.
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