Technology Improving education

This week we have spent a lot of time discussing the possible negatives of technology in a school setting, but technology is a key tool in advancing learning but how?

• Teachers can collaborate to share their ideas and resources online: They can communicate with others across the world in an instant, meet the shortcomings of their work, refine it and provide their students with the best. This approach definitely enhances the practice of teaching.
• Students can develop valuable research skills at a young age: Technology gives students immediate access to an abundance of quality information which leads to learning at much quicker rates than before.
• Students and teachers have access to an expanse of material: There are plenty of resourceful, credible websites available on the Internet that both teachers and students can utilize. The Internet also provides a variety of knowledge and doesn’t limit students to one person’s opinion.
• Online learning is now an equally credible option: Face-to-face interaction is huge, especially in the younger years, but some students work better when they can go at their own pace. Online education is now accredited and has changed the way we view education. 

(Using Technology in education)

It has been proven that each child learns differently and it allows an educator to use a variety of techniques such as the flipped classroom to improve learning and test scores.  Even though I am not a believer that test scores truly show learning, however since that is how education is currently judged in this country it cannot be ignored. 

As you can see from the chart, the Flipped Classroom technique with the use of an Ipad has lead to higher scores achieved as of 2012.

How to Fight Cyberbullying?

Bullying has been an issue that has been around for centuries, one that we are still struggling to overcome.  In the past, these issues were witnessed in person, which allowed for the possibility of resolution before it truly escalated into something drastic.  Now our schools face an enemy that cannot be seen in the halls or more than likely one that will never take place on school grounds.  

At this moment, dealing with Cyberbullying has become a state by state issue.  For example, Maryland has passed Grace's law, named after a high school student who tragically took her life due to bullying (Below).

Misuse of Interactive Computer Service (Grace’s Law). Passed legislature 4/2013. Named after Grace McComas, a high school student who committed suicide in 2012 on Easter after being cyberbullied by a neighbor. “This bill prohibits a person from using an “interactive computer service” to maliciously engage in a course of conduct that inflicts serious emotional distress on a minor or places a minor in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury with the intent (1) to kill, injure, harass, or cause serious emotional distress to the minor or (2) to place the minor in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. Violators are guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to one year and/or a $500 maximum fine. 

The law above is a very aggressive move made to fight Cyberbullying, a very positive step in the right direction.  As for schools, each district is obligated to create their own anti-bullying policy, as well as report each case according to the Safe School Act of 2005.  How else can we help our students through these tough times?  What are the roles of parents?

Is technology in school adding to a current problem?

As an educator and future Administrator I am quick to acknowledge the potential in expanding education through the use of technology.  In 2015 we see so many addittions such as smart boards, laptops and tablets that can be used to engage our students.  I also recognize how technology provides educators with so many tools and resources that has never been seen prior to the technology boom.  Even with noticing these positives, I do worry about exposing the children to more technology during the day.

Media exposure in hours per day

We see that children between the age of 8-10 are already exposed to media almost 8 hours in a given day.  If we keep increasing the exposure at school what kind of affect will it have on them?  With every day children are starting to struggle socially face to face and the amount of time outside participating in physical activities is decreasing.  I am concerned for the health of our children but how can we help this issue without sacrificing the advantages through the use of technology in education?

Should we educate the children or the parents?

When a discussion about how to educate our youth is held today, it is very rare that the idea of including more technology is not presented.  It is a strong belief that schools today should allow students more access to technology if they are truly going to become educated adults.  The Leading Education by Advancing Digital Commission, also known as LEAD, gave an online survey to determine how much of the country truly supports education and technology.
According to this survey:

• 96 percent of teachers and 92 percent of parents believe that schools’ integration of technology in teaching and learning is important to the education of American students today.
• 54 percent of teachers and 64 percent of parents believe that the role of technology in educating students will become much more important during the next 10 years.
• 61 percent of teachers and 63 percent of parents responded that the country is somewhat or far behind the curve when it comes to American public schools’ use of technology in education.
• 82 percent of teachers and 71 percent of parents believe a greater use of technology would be helpful in connecting learning inside and outside of the classroom.
• 89 percent of teachers and 76 percent of parents would choose to spend $200 per student for an Internet-connected device over $200 per student for new science textbooks.
• 82 percent of teachers believe that they are not receiving the necessary training to use technology to its fullest potential in the classroom.
• 95 percent of teachers and 90 percent of parents believe that home access to high-speed Internet gives students a big or moderate advantage when it comes to classroom performance.

Despite the results producing such high percentages, I do not find the results very shocking.  We are in a technology boom and I do believe that the internet can allow an educators access to essential tools to drive the curiosity of their students.  Children of today are more technologically advanced then ever before and it does add a lot of pressure on schools to properly educate students. However, with the ages of kids accessing social media websites are we educating the correct people?

Facebook, like many other social media websites, have age limits for access but you can see from the chart above that it has done little to restrict their access.  Even though it is very easy for children to access these website without parental knowledge, we do find that many parents assist their children in the joining of these websites. I feel we are at a point where in addition to making the children aware of the dangers, it is our responsibility to educate the parents as well but how can this be done?


http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/11/tech/gaming-gadgets/kids-online-safety-steinberg/