Technology & Curriculum
By Kristina E. Bergman
9-20-09
Technology in schools is not only up and coming, it is already here. If you are not on the proverbial technology train, you will be left far behind. Unfortunately, many of US schools, especially those located in urban and rural areas, are the last to get on board. The era of Essentialism and Perennialism philosophy in schools is on its way out. The current philosophies are the Progressivism and Reconstructivism philosophies, both benefiting from being society centered and being sensitive to global issues, as well as being student and activity centered, and deemphasizing the role of the three R’s and rote learning.
The advancements of technology today not only go across the US, but encompass the world. This results in increased pressure on US high school and US college undergraduates to become more competitive in what they decide to do as a career. There is no longer a guarantee of a good, high paying job unless you are either a college graduate in one of the STEM areas or at least a high school grad with vocational training in Computer Technology or Engineering. This increased awareness that the US is falling farther and farther down the global technology ladder, in regards to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), is alarming. We, as educators, need to encourage our students to learn the skills necessary to better prepare them for the future. Using technology both in the classroom and out is an excellent way to accomplish this goal. Considered a ‘disruptive innovation’ by Clayton Christianson, on line education is a new tool that will completely change the way we currently teach and transfer knowledge to our students. On line education is so simple, anyone, any age, can use it, or in other words, it has ‘asymmetrical competition’. Today, laptops are not only affordable, but highly portable. Combined with wireless capabilities, and the small wireless attachments available, the world can now be at anyone’s fingertips, anywhere at all. The latest statistics show that by 2013, approximately 10% of all classroom seat time will be utilizing on line instruction. This will not only teach to individual needs, which studies have shown, are how students learn best, but the software available will also allow students to go at their own pace. As an example, I personally offer my Special Education students time in the high school computer lab to hone their computer skills with a research project on a specific historical person. They have relatively no difficulties in negotiating the web or finding out how to do the computer programs. They have more questions regarding spelling or grammar or how the project should be set up than about how to work on the computer. Occasionally, we use the laptops in my classroom as well, as our school has wireless capabilities. Several of our classrooms have the new technology, ‘Starboard’, a form of smartboard that utilizes the computer to bring more of the World Wide Web to our students. New lessons, new people, and new teaching ideas – all thanks to technological advances in curriculum and grant money.
Incorporating technology into our teaching and our curriculum is imperative to prepare our US students to compete with other global countries and give them a fair and level playing field. Statistics have shown that public schools have spent nearly 60 million dollars putting computers and technology in the classroom. Unfortunately, placing all this new upgraded technology on top of old business and technology, usually leads to breakdowns in the form of down time, slow service and frustration. One plan to incorporate this technology into everyday curriculum is with careful planning and cooperation. Initially, a technology planning team would be organized, which would be comprised of a sampling from all segments of the school and the community. It should include members of administration, teaching staff, and business persons who are technological experts in their field, as well as parents. They should select a team leader, to keep them on target and to shoot for an approximate finish date. There should be specifics on how the technology will be used in the school; how the role of the teacher and parent can be affective; and most importantly, how will this technology ultimately benefit the students of the school to be successful in this globally competitive market?
As schools continue to struggle to find an even medium, hopefully they can use technology and curriculum to help them, not only keep up with a changing world, but equal and surpass the world markets without spending significant amounts of time and tax payer’s money.
Sources:
Dugan, Jay. Blog from April 11, 2009, titled “Technology & Change: Disruptive Innovation”
Guhlin, Miguel. Blog from 9/14/09 titled, “Defining 21st Century Literacy’s” from Around the Corner; mguhlin.org: Stare into the Abyss of Curriculum.
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