(Rethinking Education) Chapter 9

How does this reading impact your thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning?

How this reading impacted my thinking on technology’s role on teaching and learning in through understanding. More or less, this chapter created a better connection with technology and education. When discussing what learning students take away from technology I agreed with this statement—“…problem of video games in terms of addiction and the “corruption of youth.”’ However the reason I think a statement like this is stated about technology is because of the student’s home life. I feel many parents, especially in today’s society are trying to be friends and less of a parent. Being more of a friend towards your children provokes the parents to “give in” and then before you know it the kids are playing any game they want to. Parents need to be stricter towards the relevant games and more apprehensive towards the educational games.
On to encouraging children to join online communities—isn’t that harmful? I think there are many risks presented through online communities. For example, anybody can pretend to be someone! One may think they are talking to someone of their age, but in reality it could be a 50 year old man or women they are actually talking to. Another thing I find interesting is on page 127 is the last of the first paragraph, the author states, “…leaving the teachers behind to maintain their traditional classroom practices.” That statement can be bended depending on you as the future teacher. As a teacher you can either be “that” teacher that is left behind or you can be the teacher that pursues that technology difference through incorporating new technology. As a teacher, you have to be the one who is willing to keep up with today’s needs and wants for the classroom through taking those extra classes.

What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct results of this new thinking?

As a future teacher I will allow technology into my classroom that will benefit my students. The technology will be used for educational purposes only. As a teacher, I will not promote online communities in which the students can discuss their interests. Online communities are too big of a risk to take as a teacher. I will also take those extra courses I need in order to stay up-to-date with technology and other subjects.