Using technology in schools. Like it or dislike it?

[Perry]

So I came home from the 9th grade planning meeting last night feeling pretty good about our decision to send 14 dd to ps full time next year. Then this article was on the front page of the local newspaper this morning. My knee jerk reaction is that this is useless and a waste of time, but I'm willing to consider that I'm ignorant of the benefits of using technology in the classroom. I'm curious what others think.

 

"The students of today would much prefer to communicate via the Internet rather than writing a paper," said Kay Rewerts, 60, a technology consultant with the Grant Wood Area Education Agency. "They're so technologically aware, that that's just their natural way to communicate."

 

 

Isn't this the reason we should be DISCOURAGING the use of technology?

[lionfamily1999]

When the Egyptians started using paper, they stopped leaving things for historians. I wonder how much of our 'history' will be lost because of this... IOW, technology marches forth and all these ideas and works disappear.

 

I think most blanket solutions are foolish, this one is no exception.

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

Yes it's definitely needed. Most workplaces are so wired now, that meetings happen online. Teens need to be more than at ease with this medium.

[Perry]

I'm not opposed to technology in general. My kids are all pretty technologically savvy, as am I. But I can't for the life of me understand how texting the answers to a teacher is better than a show of hands. With all the teacher complaints of disruptive cell phones in the classroom, this seems like a stupid idea. It seems like a lot of the implementation of technology is more of a gimmick than something useful.

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

I'm not opposed to technology in general. My kids are all pretty technologically savvy, as am I. But I can't for the life of me understand how texting the answers to a teacher is better than a show of hands.

 

Maybe because kids can't influence each other that way? When 90% of the class raises a hand, it's hard for the remaining 10% not to raise it, even if they don't agree. That's why we have secret voting, after all.

[angela in ohio]

Dh just wrote a paper on this last night. He is taking a class for his Specialists degree about implementing technology as an administrator.

 

He talked about how technology is better utilized in the rhetoric stage than grammar or dialectic. Yeah, his professor will have no idea what that means, but it was a great paper.

 

We see first hand the money wasted on technology toys for the classroom. They have 50 kids per class and no music or art, but they do have a "wired classroom" so that the teacher can write on the screen instead of using ((shudder)) chalk. The kids don't know anything, but they can make a PowerPoint about their uneducated opinion. It's sad, sad, sad...

 

There are ways to utilize technology in beneficial ways, but schools are usually not doing it. It would require trainging, planning, and a better understandig of how students learn best.

[Chris in VA]

My dd8's 3rd grade classroom has a "smart" board, and she said her teacher "is in love with it." It IS pretty cool, and they can do a lot more than on a chalk board, but it's not necessary. I'm glad she is learning her way around the computer, but I never want it to be at the expense of learning content.

 

For high school, I do think they should take advantage of technology, but texting the answers seems, well, overdone and rather stupid. It seems isolating to me, too. The best discussions seem to come when people voice their thoughts. The teacher's job is to lead those discussions, and that means being skilled enough to draw out those kids who would rather not share their opinions. She (or he) needs to make her classroom a safe place, where risks can be taken, and where fear of ridicule is banished, so that everyone can be an active learner and appreciate each other's pov. I guess using texting could be one way of accomplishing that, but I'd rather see real kids doing real discussion, out loud.

[hsingscrapper]

I firmly believe that in a classroom setting where time seems to be more at a premium as well as crowd control, that children should NOT be using the computer at school.

 

We recently pulled our boys from a school where there was a scheduled interruption everyday at the same time and the kids were so bounced around that the teacher my oldest had was actually whining about it.

 

I didn't touch a keyboard of any kind until 7th grade when I had to take typing class and we only had manual, electric, and electronic typewriters. We didn't have much in the way of classroom computers as they were still heinously expensive. But I'm old (today I turned 35) and babbling.

 

In late dialectic and rhetoric, I think it can be a good thing. Until then, kids should be doing that at home and building solid foundations in handwriting and the basics.

[Tracey in TX]

that children should NOT be using the computer at school.

 

 

Not giving them repeated access is placing them behind their peers. I would NEVER allow my kids to attend a school behind the times. That generation will not just be against each other in jobs. They'll be vying for the same jobs as others in a global economy. Those who aren't proficient in technology will be left behind. Why train someone to do what many others are already prepared? Kids that are behind in technology will be the minimum wage workers. The American education system is already behid. There needs to be computers--multiple computers--in every classroom.

Eventually each child will be responsible for providing their own computer to attend public school. Many private schools already require this.

[Snickerdoodle]

What are they doing with the computers in the schools?

 

OK, I looked at the article. Cripes.

[OH_Homeschooler]

But I can't for the life of me understand how texting the answers to a teacher is better than a show of hands.

 

Well, there's confidentiality so that the shy student can communicate with the teacher and not be afraid that all of his or her classmates know that he or she got the wrong answer.

 

Honestly, I would have loved this sort of thing in school. The one complaint teachers had about me was that I was too quiet, didn't speak up enough in class. I was shy, I hated being put on the spot. But if I could let the teacher know that I actually was engaged by texting, I would have. I have much more confidence in my writing abilities than my speaking abilities.

 

Someone else mentioned chalk...you do realize that some kids are severely allergic to chalk dust?

[Karen sn]

At what age do they teach typing?

Before you even push the "technology is good for kids" argument, I think at the very least they should be taught HOW to correctly use it.

I wonder how many of these elementary kids are hunt/pecking!!

 

My dd is 11 and we are just now (5th grade) introducing typing.

She wants a typewriter...... :-)

 

I don't know what the big rush is for kids to know everything about technology. Tthe people who brought it to us did not grow up on it themselves after all! I think the majority of all this computer knowledge comes at the expense of social skills and the ability to communicate directly WITH people.

 

I think we should slow down on the computer skills and teach the basics first. Then when we see kids can effectively communicate and have manners/social skill, we can introduce technology.

 

I agree with the whole "what's wrong with raising your hand?" aspect of this.

Say what you think - or ask a question - and open up the dialog between the kids.

 

Voting - secret - I get that, but think the point of raising hands to answer questions over texting them to the teacher is quite valid.

[Tracey in TX]

At what age do they teach typing?

Before you even push the "technology is good for kids" argument, I think at the very least they should be taught HOW to correctly use it.

I wonder how many of these elementary kids are hunt/pecking!!

 

 

While in ps my kids began typing class in 1st grade. By 3rd grade many assignments were expected to be typed.

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

While in ps my kids began typing class in 1st grade. By 3rd grade many assignments were expected to be typed.

 

In fact, that's how I run my homeschool! :lol:

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

Really? I have thought about this because my son is having such an awful time with handwriting. We have been working on handwriting for over 3 years and he has days where he acts like he hasn't ever picked up a pencil!

 

That's the same with my son, but my daughter has beautiful handwriting. My son has exactly the same handwriting as my husband. It's when I realised that, that I gave up. Still, about 75% of his school work is handwritten, but anything that needs multiple revisions, or is longer than a page is typed.

[hornblower]

I recommend

The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (Or, Don't Trust Anyone Under 30)

http://www.amazon.com/Dumbest-Generation-Stupefies-Americans-Jeopardizes/dp/1585426393/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233076169&sr=8-1

 

 

I think too often educators, schools and parents get seduced by the glamour of high tech. It all looks so impressive. Look Johnny can use a mouse & open program menus & he can navigate to this website on his own and he's only 4!

 

But what does Johnny actually know and understand?

 

I have never understood why we'd think kids need to learn to use computers at a young age. I didn't. I learned when I was in my 20's & went on to write web pages back when we actually coded line by line in html.... My mother learned to use it in her 50's. My MIL is learning to use it now - in her 70's.

 

The technology will change by the time our kids are older and in the workforce anyway. The hours I spent learning the keyboard shortcuts in the 1988 version of some word processing program don't help me now.

 

There are only so many hours in a day & if it's a choice between goofing off on the computer or learning to reason & think & express oneself, or learning history, or learning science, or statistics --- well, I know which I'd pick for my kids.

 

There are only a few things they need to know about computers IMO:

 

-they're just machines

-you can choose to learn to just use them, or you can go a bit further & choose to learn to try to understand how they work, but it's not really necessary in order to use them

-they're tools

-you can learn to use these tools anytime

-don't be scared of them, don't be intimidated by them

-you need to learn to type

Edited January 27, 2009 by hornblower

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

There's only a few things they need to know about computers IMO:

 

-they're just machines

-you can choose to learn to just use them, or you can go a bit further & choose to learn to try to understand how they work, but it's not really necessary to use them

-they're tools

-you can learn to use these tools anytime

-don't be scared of them, don't be intimidated by them

-you need to learn to type

 

I would add:

 

-it's not because you can read something of the internet that you should believe it.

and

- it's not because the computer can think faster than you that you're no longer required to think by yourself.

 

There's a lot of critical thinking that needs to be done when looking up something on the internet. There's a difference between a message board, wikipedia, a news outlet, and a major scientific publication. It's important for kids to know how to really use this tool. And by 'use', I don't mean how to type and move a mouse. I mean 'think your way through the jungle and survive!"

[Colleen]

While in ps my kids began typing class in 1st grade. By 3rd grade many assignments were expected to be typed.

 

I would never allow my children to attend a school with such requirements.:)

[angela in ohio]

Not giving them repeated access is placing them behind their peers. I would NEVER allow my kids to attend a school behind the times. That generation will not just be against each other in jobs. They'll be vying for the same jobs as others in a global economy. Those who aren't proficient in technology will be left behind. Why train someone to do what many others are already prepared? Kids that are behind in technology will be the minimum wage workers. The American education system is already behid. There needs to be computers--multiple computers--in every classroom.

Eventually each child will be responsible for providing their own computer to attend public school. Many private schools already require this.

 

I disagree. There are already many computers in every room in many local schools. These same schools are in "academic emergency." As more topics like computers have been introduced, reading and writing and math have been crowded out. That is what is putting our kids behind, as well as following the latest trend in teaching instead of relying on time-tested methods, poor nutrition, less support at home, a society that values education less and less, etc., etc., etc.

 

An employee who can use PowerPoint, but can't read or speak clearly is not desirable. A child who really wants to go into a technological field needs math - real math, hard math - to compete with foreign students, not to have played math games on a computer while being asked, "How do you feel about the number three?"

 

Everything a student needs to learn about a computer can be taught in one high school course. Familiarity can be established by utilizing a simple computer to type reports in English class and create spreadsheets during the statistics unit in math. PhotoShop and expensive digitial cameras, the current love of educators here, are not necessary and are costing a fortune. Interactive boards and virtual field trips are luxuries cash-strapped schools can't afford (like a family who can't afford food and clothing, but has a big screen TV.)

 

Sorry, this is a big topic in our house. We see so much because of dh's job. Ironically, he is in the one field where utilization of technology for young students makes sense: special education. Adaptive technology is a life line for some students, but the training and materials are on the back burner of the budget because all the other teachers need a new PDA. :001_huh:

[Snickerdoodle]

 

An employee who can use PowerPoint, but can't read or speak clearly is not desirable. A child who really wants to go into a technological field needs math - real math, hard math - to compete with foreign students, not to have played math games on a computer while being asked, "How do you feel about the number three?"

 

 

 

I agree. I think there may be practical applications of having computers in the classroom that might be useful, but then I am reminded that even a pigeon can be trained to press a lever.

[Colleen]

Thanks, Angela; you said it all better than I could have, and I appreciate your perspective.

 

I disagree. There are already many computers in every room in many local schools. These same schools are in "academic emergency." As more topics like computers have been introduced, reading and writing and math have been crowded out. That is what is putting our kids behind, as well as following the latest trend in teaching instead of relying on time-tested methods, poor nutrition, less support at home, a society that values education less and less, etc., etc., etc.

 

An employee who can use PowerPoint, but can't read or speak clearly is not desirable. A child who really wants to go into a technological field needs math - real math, hard math - to compete with foreign students, not to have played math games on a computer while being asked, "How do you feel about the number three?"

 

Everything a student needs to learn about a computer can be taught in one high school course. Familiarity can be established by utilizing a simple computer to type reports in English class and create spreadsheets during the statistics unit in math. PhotoShop and expensive digitial cameras, the current love of educators here, are not necessary and are costing a fortune. Interactive boards and virtual field trips are luxuries cash-strapped schools can't afford (like a family who can't afford food and clothing, but has a big screen TV.)

 

Sorry, this is a big topic in our house. We see so much because of dh's job. Ironically, he is in the one field where utilization of technology for young students makes sense: special education. Adaptive technology is a life line for some students, but the training and materials are on the back burner of the budget because all the other teachers need a new PDA. :001_huh:

[Colleen]

Thanks for the book recommendation and well-stated points in your post.

 

I recommend

The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (Or, Don't Trust Anyone Under 30)

http://www.amazon.com/Dumbest-Generation-Stupefies-Americans-Jeopardizes/dp/1585426393/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233076169&sr=8-1

 

 

I think too often educators, schools and parents get seduced by the glamour of high tech. It all looks so impressive. Look Johnny can use a mouse & open program menus & he can navigate to this website on his own and he's only 4!

 

But what does Johnny actually know and understand?

 

I have never understood why we'd think kids need to learn to use computers at a young age. I didn't. I learned when I was in my 20's & went on to write web pages back when we actually coded line by line in html.... My mother learned to use it in her 50's. My MIL is learning to use it now - in her 70's.

 

The technology will change by the time our kids are older and in the workforce anyway. The hours I spent learning the keyboard shortcuts in the 1988 version of some word processing program don't help me now.

 

There are only so many hours in a day & if it's a choice between goofing off on the computer or learning to reason & think & express oneself, or learning history, or learning science, or statistics --- well, I know which I'd pick for my kids.

 

There are only a few things they need to know about computers IMO:

 

-they're just machines

-you can choose to learn to just use them, or you can go a bit further & choose to learn to try to understand how they work, but it's not really necessary in order to use them

-they're tools

-you can learn to use these tools anytime

-don't be scared of them, don't be intimidated by them

-you need to learn to type

[WTMCassandra]

I think the uses of technology as portrayed in this article are useless *during class.* The whole idea of being together in class is to utilize the strengths of community--to discuss face to face. I think a message board to discuss literature, for example, is a great HOMEWORK assignment. But in class? Feh.

 

Now the texting poll to let students answer more anonymously, I can see that once in a while. However, texting is usually such a big drain on student's productivity in class and so many high schools have banned cell phone use that I think it's unwise to open that Pandora's box just to get an occasional benefit.

 

My husband is a computer programmer. We have five computers at our house, four iPods, and an iPhone. My children *will* understand how to use technology before they leave us. However, we are not all uptight about rushing it. I like hornblower's and CleoQC's lists--and as I read them I realize my children already know all of those things. They are learning to type, and my husband has taught them some Logo programming and will continue with some Lego RCX programming. But we're not teaching PowerPoint yet, although my DH is a genius with PowerPoint, because they don't really need it yet.

 

If the student has been taught how to learn through quality content, then technology can be learned quickly. Time is precious, and I'm choosing to teach the first things and follow with the latter when they are closer to being adults (rhetoric stage, probably).

[Tracey in TX]

 

I would never allow my children to attend a school with such requirements.:)

 

ROFL Totally didn't see that coming, but completely deserved that! :)

[Tracey in TX]

An employee who can use PowerPoint, but can't read or speak clearly is not desirable. A child who really wants to go into a technological field needs math - real math, hard math - to compete with foreign students, not to have played math games on a computer while being asked, "How do you feel about the number three?"

 

Everything a student needs to learn about a computer can be taught in one high school course.

Sorry, this is a big topic in our house. We see so much because of dh's job. Ironically, he is in the one field where utilization of technology for young students makes sense: special education. Adaptive technology is a life line for some students, but the training and materials are on the back burner of

 

Not true. One course could never teach everything a student/future employee needs to know to be gainfully employed. It's also a major topic in our home. DH is a VP in a high tech company, so this is his industry. You and I do agree, however, in the need to be able to articulate one's thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Even his highest paid employees would receive a C or D (from me, should I ever grade their 'papers', LOL) for poorly analyzed, haphazardly constructed work. It makes DH's job more difficult. These are all grown men with college degrees who clearly didn't grow beyond the grammar stage. Technology IS important. It's not the center of our instruction, but really needs to be a priority along with language, math, science, and history. They're all interrelated.

[angela in ohio]

Not true. One course could never teach everything a student/future employee needs to know to be gainfully employed.

 

I did poorly word that. Not everything a student needs to know could be taught in a single course. That usually requires a knowledge of the desired field and college or other specialized training. What I meant (and didn't say at all correctly) was that everything students here are currently being taught - and not always thoroughly - through years and years of expensive technology integration (basically PhotoShop, Word, PowerPoint, and maybe Excel) could be taught in a single year.

[WTMCassandra]

Thanks for posting about this book. I've reserved it at the library.

[Tracey in TX]

I did poorly word that. Not everything a student needs to know could be taught in a single course. That usually requires a knowledge of the desired field and college or other specialized training. What I meant (and didn't say at all correctly) was that everything students here are currently being taught - and not always thoroughly - through years and years of expensive technology integration (basically PhotoShop, Word, PowerPoint, and maybe Excel) could be taught in a single year.

 

Thanks, think we're actually on the same page.

btw, I love your sig line including yourself in homeschool. DH says I'm becoming an enlightened Renaissance woman through this process. Think that the classics and training for the future should be integrated. Both are important to move forward.

[hsingscrapper]

Not giving them repeated access is placing them behind their peers. I would NEVER allow my kids to attend a school behind the times. That generation will not just be against each other in jobs. They'll be vying for the same jobs as others in a global economy. Those who aren't proficient in technology will be left behind. Why train someone to do what many others are already prepared? Kids that are behind in technology will be the minimum wage workers. The American education system is already behid. There needs to be computers--multiple computers--in every classroom.

Eventually each child will be responsible for providing their own computer to attend public school. Many private schools already require this.

 

I have to say I feel like that was taken a bit out of context but at the same time I realize that I wasn't immediately clear in my point. I just don't think that computer time should be held on the same level of importance as the basics in a K-6 setting. Especially in a school that was trying to build a reputation for giving children a better foundation in said basics.

 

I have to get this off my chest. My oldest son (9 yo) was made by his teacher to feel bad because he was hunting/pecking and not typing fast enough to suit her! My 5 yo, and a fair share of his classmates, would have their computer time taken away for bad behavior. It just struck me as funny when my youngest's skills were, I felt, being delayed because of classroom interruptions.

 

I'm sticking to my story that the basics should be stressed in elementary. If they have time for computers and are being taught/know how to use them wisely, that's fine. But I wouldn't hire someone who's writing I can't read either because his or her penmanship is horrid or the grammar skills are horrid.

 

I hope that clarifies my point and forgive me if I sounded crabby just now. I have a lot of pent up emotions about a school I thought and hoped would be better and turned out to be just like the others. My most humble apologies for a sour tone.

 

Heidi

[Snickerdoodle]

I think there are two separate issues here.

 

One is having students learn how to use a word processor or how to prepare a power point presentation and having computer skills of that sort.

 

The other is using computers to teach via educational games such as Brain Pop or Starfall for example or

.

 

I can't see how anyone could argue that the latter produces kids who are more proficient in technology.