As I mentioned in my first post, there is a debate about whether 1:1 Computing enhances or retracts from the educational experience.
On one side, people believe that the constant access to technology allows students to accomplish more in the classroom. The other side of the debate feels that such an emphasis on technology actually retracts from the learning experience. The following is a link to an article by the Educational World Technology Center describing each side of the debate. Take a look and let me know what you think!
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech197.shtml
Good topic and good article, Bo! Thanks for sharing. My initial reaction to the topic and article is that 1:1 computing detracts from the educational experience because it takes the focus off learning and puts it squarely on the technology. The technology doesn't ensure higher level learning such as analyzing, evaluating, and creating. In fact one criticism I've heard from technology usage is that our students no longer learn to write in cursive, nor are they expected to.
ReplyDeleteHi Bo:
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe that having computers in the classroom is a good thing. That being said, I think extensive preplaning of a lesson is definitely required and having a variety of instructional strategies for keeping students on task is also vitally important. The subject/content area material should always be the primary focus of a lesson with computers being used as a critical resource for highlighting and/or expanding on the topic in an engaging and meaningful way. Superficial assignment activities such as having students create "an elegantly designed" WORD document or just surfing the web defeats the educational purpose of computers in the classroom.
From the article I feel that that the follwing three elements are fundamental for any real success of intergrating computer technology effectively into the classroom setting:
*Administrative commitment and vision,
*Staff development/support,
*Safety and security.
~Aja