EDT 5410 Week 1 R/D1

Technology has become a necessity in our everyday life especially in the last three decades. We now have cars equipped with navigation systems, coffee makers with programmable brewing times, and the ability to take digital photos and print them immediately. I believe it is time to delve into transforming education through the use of technology. Reigeluth and Joseph have comprised information pertaining to attaining this new way of thinking.
Although I agree with the idea of transforming education I can’t envision how it will be implemented. Having the capability to manage meeting every student’s academic needs through customization with having 30 students in a classroom sounds like a miracle. “We should hold achievement constant at a master level, by allowing children as much time as they need to reach those standards. This would mean allowing children to progress at different rates and therefore to pursue different goals at the same time…a learning-focused educational system” (Reigeluth & Joseph, 2002). In theory this sounds pretty good. In reality how can this be possible? Teachers would be looking at a classroom full of technology that Reigeluth and Joseph refer to as soft technology such as “simulations, virtual reality, expert systems, artificial intelligence, electronic performance support systems, voice and optical character recognition, among others.” Developers are working to make this a reality. There are schools piloting these technological tools Coles elementary school in south side Chicago took on this adventure.
On the other hand, Postman reminds me of a saying if it’s not broken why fix it. I see much technological advancement as an enhancement to what we already have; whether discussing the medical, business, or education field. Education is constantly being scrutinized, it seems as though we keep trying to do new things in old ways. For example, the school I work at the language arts teachers have the equipment to use computers to create blogs for student writing or use ePal for access to pen pals across the world, but they are still using just pencil paper or putting them on the computer and using Microsoft Word. The students could benefit from receiving comments on their blogs or sending their writings to their ePal and getting feedback from a whole different perspective. This is just a small example of what is out there to enhance teaching. Postman’s view seems to be that the students will be lacking the socialization, being able to work in a group. I view technology as a tool to enhance the students’ educational experience. It is not to replace social interactions and learning to work collaboratively. Using tools like Web 2.0, which is a collaboration tool will give the students a different look at collaboration not just within classroom, but also on the internet.
Postman also points out that “If a nuclear holocaust should occur some place in the world, it will not happen because of insufficient information; if children are starving in Somalia, it’s not because of insufficient information: if crime terrorizes our cities, marriages are breaking up, mental disorders are increasing, and children are being abused, none of this because of lack of information” (Postman, 1993). All of these things are happening, did happen, or could happen, but if we are prepared with knowledge and information we will be better equipped to handle the future. I think our children are worth taking technology on and embracing what is to come. We must move forward and learn how to solve the upcoming problems that are here and not going away. We always can ask the question like Postman “What is the problem to which ‘cruise control’ is the answer” (Postman, 1993).
Postman, N. (1993). Of Luddites, learning, and life. Technos Quarterly, 2(4).Reigeluth, C.M. & Joseph, R. (2002). Beyond technology integration: The case for technology transformation.Educational Technology, 42(4), 9-13.