Reading Response for Class on 2/28

Roberts and Mahoney

This article begins discussing technology in our society and how its increase has undeniably affected our classrooms. I agree completely with the discussion and how it highlights the importance of considering educational technology critically, defining its use and purpose. Too often I hear in my practicums, "use technology, it's in the OPR," even though the technology we are suppose to be using is not defined. Is using technology as simple as putting work up on an Elmo or showing students a Schoolhouse Rock video on Youtube? Should we be delving further into the world of technology in our classrooms? The article connects learning through technology to corporatization of schools, which personally, I find a little dramatic. However, it makes a valid point as it works to connect technology and schooling to the larger picture: our society, government, economy, and world.

This article takes a very critical stance on many controversial topics: mandated education laws, common core, and the rise of charter schools over public education. I thought it was very interesting that the article discussed different "educational entrepreneurs" and "opportunistic politicians" as a part of this great system affecting schools today. I think this is one of those things that we all know, one of those things that we're all aware of, but we choose not to discuss it because as unsettling as all this outside influence is, who can really change it? This "corporate reform movement" has so much power in our educational system that when they suggest personal learning technology, our government obliges. The article also brings up valid points about data collection and how this information leads to different systems believing they can "control" what is taking place in schools (the pace, the environment, and the content).

It was disheartening to read the idea that education exists to "train workers for a twenty first century market" because I believe learning and critical thinking goes far beyond that. The idea that we are creating students to fit a mold to go out and fit into a business model of our world is terribly upsetting. What happens when we lose all the free thinkers, the creative minds, and the uninhibited explorers? Our society begins to stand still. Our society becomes a machine and progress all but stops.

I found it really interesting, as this article further discussed the role of teachers in the classroom and how this is changing. I hate the idea proposed, that teachers aren't making decisions in the classroom but are simply managing systems that have control, overseeing the education of students but not really teaching. The assumption that "efficiency" and "effectiveness" is more important than the purpose of education and the idea that everything is a "skill" that can be learned and analyzed and quantified is dangerous.

I'm not going to lie, I usually stay away from reading research and findings similar to what is discussed in this article because it makes me feel helpless. It makes me feel like we've reached the point of no return and that the system now and will always control what teachers once did. I agree with the article, the idea that at our current state, technologies that allow control of school systems do more harm then good. Unfortunately, I'm not sure there are enough people considering this, or taking action for change. I hope in the future things are different, but for now, I feel as if we're a little too stuck.

Coiro

I like the purpose of Coiro's tool, to aid in "exploration of controversial issues on the internet" but also have to wonder if, like Robert and Mahoney's article, this feeds into the idea of giving technology too much control.

I found the four theoretical ideas that drove this design interesting: perspectives on online research, critical thinking in relation to students' understanding, guidance of learning practices, and focus on cognitive capacity. However, there is an underlying idea of control, control that would be given to this new technology if it were created. This study references the idea that student have difficulty with online inquiry, but doesn't consider that online inquiry itself might be the problem. Why do students have to use a computer or search engine to locate information? I remember learning to research in a library, using encyclopedias and textbooks to find information - key word, learning. Students should not be expected to pick up a new form of technology and be able to use it right away. Software to help teach students is valuable, but software that simply control what they can discover, eliminates this 'learning' opportunity. The article's figures provided and images of potential design seem very structured, as if they would allow little choice or informed exploration by students. How does that aid learning? I thought the "Palette of Perspectives" was an interesting concept, but again, wondered if it was controlling and influencing student thought too much.

After reading the article, I had these final thoughts: Why do we need to eliminate complexities for students? Why can't we teach students how to conquer complexities rather than making things simpler?

Couros 

I definitely preferred this reading and its concepts to the others, regarding their approaches to technology in schools. First off, I was very surprised by the idea that "30% of children will have a digital footprint before they are born." That sounds absolutely absurd to me! However, the more I think about it, the more realistic it also sounds. Our students will no doubt be dealing with technology for their entire lives, interacting and learning through its operations.

I strongly agree with the idea that student need to be taught how to interact properly in a digital space. There are grand scale issue, like cyber bullying, that must be addressed with students. However, there are also smaller scale issues like sending out emails to professors, co-workers, and potential bosses in proper form, with proper punctuation, free of grammatical errors. Personally, it was my parents always taught me how importance your presence online is and how you should treat technological interaction the same way you treat a face to face conversation. I don't ever remember discussing this in class or in school, which is unfortunate, now that I think back. Teachers should be emphasizing this, and I believe that nowadays they are. I know I plan to.

I found the idea of using technology to reveal issues of power and privilege to be extremely interesting. With all the time students are spending online, they are going to be exposed to these topics anyway - why not take the opportunity to educate them, to form a discussion or debate? If technology is used correctly in the classroom, it can be a great resource. However, one specific thing that Couros' text implied that the others didn't, is the importance of a teacher's role in making decisions about technology in the classroom. The more we educate ourselves, the better we will be at doing this.