When it comes to technology and education, I think the hardest thing to figure out is where to draw "the line". "The line" that I am talking about is where the technology you are using is still efficient, relevant, and beneficial toward the desired educational outcome. So many factors weigh into this dilemma. There are so many great technologies out there, but that doesn't mean they will get the job done any better when you weigh in all the other factors. One funny case I've experienced was in an American History class I recently took. The professor was a retired teacher who was very "old school" in his teaching style. The department forced him to use their power point presentations to guide his lectures. One day the remote wouldn't work to turn on the projector, another day the computer in the classroom crashed, and then finally when their were problems with the electricity he freaked out and gave us a huge lecture about technology and the problems with it in the classroom. Some of his points were well argued as he defended the chalkboard over the dry erase board and computer projectors. This situation got me thinking that the usefulness of technology is very conditional. It really depends on the distinct situations and all the variables therein whether or not technology will help or hinder learning.
That's a good story about your American History professor. I sometimes think that, like the way cats can pick out the one person in the room who hates cats and decide to go hang out with that person, that technology knows who isn't comfortable with it, and decides to go off on its own when the uncomfortables are trying to use it.
ReplyDeleteYour story also gets to the heart of the concept of "appropriate technology." I would like to see if you can come up with some decision-tree re: what kind of technology to use when...
jd
Frank
ReplyDeleteInteresting as well as amusing story. Although some people (as your Professor) may struggle in accepting and understanding technology, once they overcome that initial stage it may become quite a tremendous benefit to them. If your Professor invested any time to really learn Power Point or any other technological tool available to him, he would then notice the improvement in his lessons.
I must admit that it is difficult to adapt and accept change; however, change is definitely a part of daily life and one must learn to constantly evolve.
Hopefully by now your professor might have ventured further out into the technological world.