Amish Technology
Choosing Well: Technology in Curriculum
The commercial success of new software or hardware is dependent upon how well the technology in question does what it is purported to do. More importantly, it's success depends upon whether or not the technology is something that people find it useful and easy to adopt.
The educational success of technology has to date depended upon large scale adoption by districts. But hardware is getting smaller and easier for individuals to carry at the same time that the computer lab model is falling out of favor. It's getting easier for teachers to adopt items like PDAs, GPS units, iPods, etc. and integrate them into classroom activities. The adoption of technology in education is moving from a district imposed/top down model to a much more individualized event. So the educational success criteria are changing too.
This is a good thing. Teachers often balked at school or district mandates because they didn't understand the need for the technology, didn't understand how to use the technology, and therefore couldn't see how it would facilitate either teaching or learning. Teachers now have the opportunity to choose technologies with which they feel comfortable. Teachers are beginning to ask: 1) Can this technology help capture the attention and imaginations of my students? 2) Can this technology make my job easier? 3) Can this technology aid my students in comprehension? 4) Is the skill level required to operate this technology too high for me to consider learning?
Success occurs when a teacher gets excited about the possibility of a technology, can adopt the technology in a comfortable time period with little to moderate training, and can improve their teaching experiences and/or student performance.
Teachers: being skeptical is not only OK, it's appropriate. Pointed questions will help you acquire technology and tech skills that will serve you and your students. Ask them of your vendors, ask them of your administrators, ask them of your local CTAP representatives.
Daniel
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Choosing Well: Technology in Curriculum
Trends in Adoption of Technology
Monday, May 12th, 2008The commercial success of new software or hardware is dependent upon how well the technology in question does what it is purported to do. More importantly, it's success depends upon whether or not the technology is something that people find it useful and easy to adopt.
The educational success of technology has to date depended upon large scale adoption by districts. But hardware is getting smaller and easier for individuals to carry at the same time that the computer lab model is falling out of favor. It's getting easier for teachers to adopt items like PDAs, GPS units, iPods, etc. and integrate them into classroom activities. The adoption of technology in education is moving from a district imposed/top down model to a much more individualized event. So the educational success criteria are changing too.
This is a good thing. Teachers often balked at school or district mandates because they didn't understand the need for the technology, didn't understand how to use the technology, and therefore couldn't see how it would facilitate either teaching or learning. Teachers now have the opportunity to choose technologies with which they feel comfortable. Teachers are beginning to ask: 1) Can this technology help capture the attention and imaginations of my students? 2) Can this technology make my job easier? 3) Can this technology aid my students in comprehension? 4) Is the skill level required to operate this technology too high for me to consider learning?
Success occurs when a teacher gets excited about the possibility of a technology, can adopt the technology in a comfortable time period with little to moderate training, and can improve their teaching experiences and/or student performance.
Teachers: being skeptical is not only OK, it's appropriate. Pointed questions will help you acquire technology and tech skills that will serve you and your students. Ask them of your vendors, ask them of your administrators, ask them of your local CTAP representatives.
Daniel
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Alan Phillips said:
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 @ 1:54 PM
Daniel, another thing that I believe is starting to help to drive adoption is the newer teachers. They have been using technology for a number of years and are comfortable with it. We are now starting to see digital natives entering the work force and they, IMHO, are going to be a driving force in pushing the use of technology into their companies/organizations.
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Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 @ 1:54 PM
Daniel, another thing that I believe is starting to help to drive adoption is the newer teachers. They have been using technology for a number of years and are comfortable with it. We are now starting to see digital natives entering the work force and they, IMHO, are going to be a driving force in pushing the use of technology into their companies/organizations.
Flag as inappropriateDaniel Nestlerode said:
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 @ 1:58 PM
You're right Alan. I hadn't thought of that. But then, up here in the mountains, lack of high speed internet access keeps the playing field more even and lower.
Another thought: The reduction in prices of some hardware is making adoption easier. Thumb drives are pretty cheap. You can get a GPS unit for less than $100.00.
Daniel
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Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 @ 1:58 PM
You're right Alan. I hadn't thought of that. But then, up here in the mountains, lack of high speed internet access keeps the playing field more even and lower.
Another thought: The reduction in prices of some hardware is making adoption easier. Thumb drives are pretty cheap. You can get a GPS unit for less than $100.00.
Daniel
Flag as inappropriateDonny Buckman said:
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 @ 12:44 PM
I submit that along with usability of new technologies there is a need by people for assistance with the bare constrictions of survival. In a society falling further away from the ideal egalitarian equilibrium to which civilized culture strives, more paths for success are needed. I believe that social networking along the lines of mesh collaboration will help students and parents succeed outside of the darkness that tries to envelop them. You see, people have as an instinct for survival. I think that opening up communications lines through the digital realm by installing and maintaining new technologies can make a real difference in the lives of people across all walks of life. From the GPS users who are afraid of getting lost, to the gang informant, who is afraid of being found out. For too long, the layers of network communication have held people off due to the complexity inherent in the medium. Now, the layers may be transcended so that the voice of a child, or mother can be heard clearly while the people themselves can remain anonymous.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 @ 12:44 PM
I submit that along with usability of new technologies there is a need by people for assistance with the bare constrictions of survival. In a society falling further away from the ideal egalitarian equilibrium to which civilized culture strives, more paths for success are needed. I believe that social networking along the lines of mesh collaboration will help students and parents succeed outside of the darkness that tries to envelop them. You see, people have as an instinct for survival. I think that opening up communications lines through the digital realm by installing and maintaining new technologies can make a real difference in the lives of people across all walks of life. From the GPS users who are afraid of getting lost, to the gang informant, who is afraid of being found out. For too long, the layers of network communication have held people off due to the complexity inherent in the medium. Now, the layers may be transcended so that the voice of a child, or mother can be heard clearly while the people themselves can remain anonymous.
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