After watching this PBS documentary, Digital Nation, I am more confused about where I stand on the issue of technology in education, than I was before I watched it. There are nine sections to this one and a half hour show, but each section is only 10 minutes or so.
There is a rich variety of both controversial subject matter and interesting unanswered questions presented in this documentary. There are results from current brain research regarding: attention, multitasking, and MRIs of brain activity while Google™ searching compared to reading.
Most relevant to the ongoing questions generated in class was, Section 4: Teaching with Technology. It presents a variety of ways in which some entire schools and teachers within their classrooms are implementing technology into their teaching.
This series reminded me that the debates about technology that have been generated on this blog, in our class, and in our school communities, are part of a much bigger picture. It reminds me that we are in the midst of a rather profound revolution.
I highly recommend watching PBS Frontline: Digital Nation
It can be found @ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view/
Wow what a great documentary it touches on so many important issues. Anastasia, I agree with you, I am left feeling even more on the fence about the entire issue.
ReplyDelete“There should never be a question about whether students should have access to technology. Technology is like oxygen.” Yes, we all know that technology is a huge component in the the lives of students, and with over 8 hours daily spent in front of a screen it very well may be a life source. As future educators it is our job to embrace this new development, harness its power and use it for our own good. I remember when I was in high school and we had outdated history books from the late 80's, they were a joke, the bad hairstyles captured in the photos immediately discredited the information. This will be us in a few years, clinging to paper assignments and film photography. How can we keep current without throwing out what we know and reinventing the wheel?
I was surprised to hear about these laptop mandatory schools, I'm not sure why I can picture computers in every home but not in every backpack. It makes a lot of sense, teaching students the technology that will be crucial later in life. Saving trees with less handouts and paper essays seems logical, Imagine the amazing possibilities, endless information at the end of every finger, millions of images and ideas for inspiration Yet I still find myself wondering about financial issues. Does the school or the parents pay for these computers? Are the computers insured to take the rigors of school life and how often do they have to be replaced to keep up with changing technology? Am I too caught up with costs to dream big?