[learning in the digital age]
"Since most of today's students can appropriately be labeled as "Digital Learners", why do so many teachers refuse to enter the digital age with their teaching practices?
This presentation was created in an effort to motivate teachers to more effectively use technology in their teaching.
Please see http://t4.jordandistrict.org/payattention to learn how you can become a better teacher."
Labels: digital literacy, education, technology
posted by Jess @ 15:43
3 comments
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jess @ jesslaccetti.co.uk
3 Comments:
The use of technology in teaching is all very well, if used appropriately and not for the sake of it. However presentations like this leave me cold and gloss over issues such as the digital divide and the cost of funding IT based learning. The digital divide does not just occur between the first and third world but is much in evidence within our society here in the UK. To presume that all our students have the required skills and access to computers, phones and iPods is to fall prey to a misconception and is potentially exclusive. And to argue that todays students are mainly digital learners is just a major assumption. Just because 90% of students listen to music or watch TV does not mean we should teach with music or using TV programmes.
What's more the cost of IT hardware, software and maintenance is also a major issue that needs to be addressed in an environment where funds are scarce.
There is a use for technology in the classroom but this kind of monomania leaves me underwhelmed.
Hi anonymous, thanks for commenting.
I think you're quite right in saying that we shouldn't employ technology in teaching just for the sake of it. Sure, if used, it should be part of an important learning experience.
I also think your use of the word "gloss" has hit the nail on the head. Often both sides of the digi. lit equation (and many other dichotomies) seem to become extreme in their views purporting either/or views: 100% optimism or total aversion. A gloss, sometimes necessary to paint the broad brushstrokes of a situation but, as you note, often missing intricacies.
Access is still an important question especially for schools outside of North America where, allegedly, 99% of public schools have access to the 'net. I'm not sure of that and would assume that those stats are somewhat different here in the U.K.
As for our students being digital learners, I don't think they are...yet but that's something that would probably get left out in a gloss. However, I do think digital literacy should be encouraged (and not just in the classroom).
Re: cost of IT, here is an interesting article from the BBC in 2002 about classrooms of the future...are we there yet?
An interesting quote: "The point of education is not technology, but technology can help both teachers and students get through the information to the knowledge of what we can do and the wisdom of who we can be that have always been and will always be the point of education."
From Dr. Lynell Burmark
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