Assignment 3.3 Blog Post:  Technology—Friend or Foe of Education?

Victor Hugo ROJAS B. made an interesting post to his blog, victorhugor, on July 28, 2009, entitled “The Networked Teacher of the 21^st Century”.  He referred to educators as Networked Teachers due to the fact that they maintain blogs, wikis, video-conferences, social networking, and various other technology-based tools for interactive teaching and learning. He maintained that personality and teaching styles are not enough to consider an educator well-rounded; technology must be integrated into a teacher’s daily routine. My question:  Is technology a friend or foe of education?

Technology is beneficial to education in countless ways. My personal favorite is the online classroom. Since January 2006, I have earned a 2-year certificate of completion in Office Management, an A.A.S. degree in Information Technology, and I’m working on a BS in Adult Education; I have had only three classes in a traditional classroom. Online classes enable students who would otherwise be unable to attend college due to job, family, and other obligations or restrictions earn a degree. We have soldiers all over the world (and on ships and submarines) that take classes.

Technology is also a great study aid for students. Word processing software is much easier than pen and paper. Information on any topic is at their fingertips in seconds! Nowadays, they don’t even need a computer—just a cell phone. Gone are the days spending hours at the library poring over books and encyclopedias. Students can even purchase an eBook instead of a paper textbook.  

Technology and computers are a big help to instructors also. There are endless resources and instructional aids available online. Need a video to demonstrate a task? Try YouTube.  Have a student that just doesn’t seem to learn from your lectures? Check out tips for visual learning styles. Speaking of learning styles, computers can be used to provide lessons that would be suitable for different styles. The teacher can present a colorful PowerPoint that incorporates pictures and graphs, narration, and written bullets. Students can read information on the computer, or listen to tutorials and lectures, or watch a demonstration.

So it looks like technology in education is perfect, right? Not quite. Like most arguments, there are two sides. Consider this sentence: “My too friends went two the store to get gifts fore they’re dads.”  Isn’t Spellcheck great! I have noticed that some students rely on it a little too much.  And as much as I love online classes, I cannot tell you how many times I have been stressed and frustrated because I could not access class or do research for an assignment because the Internet was not working. And yes, the computer is a great research tool; but I have noticed that students “working” in the classroom aren’t always working on assignments.

There are several articles available online about texting affecting communication skills, spelling skills, and writing skills. I chose to read Texting Affects Communication Skills” by Superintendent A. Barbara Wheeler of Kent Count Public Schools. She points out that while technology has some positive aspects, there are also negative aspects: children playing video games and texting instead of physical activity outside; children (and adults) texting each other (in the same room) instead of having actual conversations; parents not communicating with their children face to face; and the destruction of the English language with LOL, OMG, where r u, etc. The article ends with this statement, “Our challenge in school, as well as at home, is not to fight technology because it is here to stay; but school personnel will play a critical role in channeling technology in the direction of quality teaching and learning. Parents must insist that children understand the appropriate use of technology and the significant impact that poor judgment can cause.” I think that statement perfectly sums up how technology should be considered by educators. You can read the entire article at: http://www.kent.k12.md.us/index.php?otion=com_content&view=article&id=555:texting-affects-communication-skills&catid=54:superintendent&ltemid=188.