Technology Article Reflection

Devin Pringle  pringle_devin@yahoo.com  October 25, 2013

 

"Catching On At Last" - The Economist

This article, “Catching On At Last” written by The Economist, introduces the reader to the current technology tidal wave that is heading for American academia and potentially the whole world over.  This article strongly advocates technology in the classroom, stating that it can be used as “an extra pair of hands in the classroom” in an effort to lessen the more menial tasks such as “marking written work and leading pupils though dull drills of words and numbers.”  Through the blending of technology with teacher-student / student-student involvement, students are said to be more engaged in the learning process and therefore their educational experience exponentially improves.  The student’s time in the classroom can be tailored through technology, which reflects favorably upon technology when compared to the “impersonal” and “regimented” way of students reciting times-tables the teacher writes on the board.  Many are seeing technology as doing the work of many teachers, because it is capable of teaching students on their various levels.  The article addresses hurdles the technology tidal wave faces: those with start-up programs will face issues of local politicians who can change rules of the schools as they see fit; many see technology and “less qualified man power” holding an agenda of replacing qualified and trained educators; there is potential for the data received from the technology to be misused by the creator companies; and that the benefits of technology will only be available to the prominent.  The article relays to the reader that America has always been a forerunner for capitalism and new endeavors and increased technology in the classroom happens to be the goal.  Through the provided statistic that America’s educational position has dropped ten places amongst its international peers, the article states, “Educational technology could reverse this trend.”  This leads many to ask, “Why not?”

1.     Technology will be like an extra pair of hands in the classroom, allowing teachers to focus    more on reorganizing their classrooms and not so much on the more menial tasks of grading and drilling.

2.     Blending technology with student-teacher interaction enhances the learning experience.

3.     Technology allows a more customized learning experience.

4.     Technology does the work of many teachers, capable of teaching students on their various levels.

5.     Technology could reverse the current American educational backslide.

As a teacher-in-training, I would be lying if I did not identify with the concerns of America’s teaching unions that “fear a hidden agenda of replacing properly trained human with some combination of technology and less qualified man power, or just technology;” however, I do agree that “the way the technology is used in the classroom is…as important as having it there.”  Through my current education technology class, I am learning the significance of using technology correctly – that it can enhance the classroom experience, should not be simply given over to the student on a whim, but -as with any lesson - should have purpose and intent.  This article presented statistics that America’s education has fallen ten places amongst the international rankings and that technology could resuscitate the dying animal that is American education.  I raise the question of: What could be the root problem to our students leaving high school and college less prepared than their international peers?  Perhaps that is too deep of an issue to delve into during an article response, but it is an area worth addressing sometime, someplace.  Another area of concern that was continuously on my mind: Are we raising a generation of kids solely plugged into technology that it is the only way they know how to function?  A new wave of screen-addicted pupils?  I believe through the advent of cell-phones, human interaction and attention spans have suffered, even if only a minute amount, and even if that opinion has not been statistically proven.  There is currently a profound agenda marking American schools in implementing technology into the classroom; through the article’s admission to there being no steady inflow of concrete facts and data to promote “edtech,” I do not think we should be so quick to jump on the cruise ship and sail into that technology tidal wave until we have a better sense of how to use technology in the classroom and in what ways students do learn best when technology is present.  I agree that technology is beneficial, but I do not feel it is the end-all to America’s current academic dilemma.