educational technology

Does Tech Make a Difference?

“Some theorists have advocated for a pedagogy that challenges inequality, oppression and fundamentalism in education. Can technology be deployed to create a more equitable system, or does technology enhance these qualities in an education system hence deepening the divide? Do support your posts with stories, anecdotes or experience.” … posed by DLG 7 – The Politics of Ed. Tech.

My Response:

I think it depends on how and what technologies are implemented. For example, I don’t think putting a smartboard in a classroom will create a more equitable system because there are so many other factors involved that influence learning. For example, family background and support, motivation to learn, behaviour/social/physical needs and culture. I don’t think a smartboard is going to change much for a student who comes to school hungry and has no family support.

However, being a student in Microsoft’s School of the Future, might give that same student hope.

I don’t know what the balance would need to be to make a system more equitable.

Define Educational Technology

Firstly, define educational tecnology. Secondly, identify nature and characteristics of a good ET program based on your own field observations and readings. Thirdly, give some examples such as philosophical, psychological, social and cultural foundations of ET. – Matiul Alam

My definition of educational technology is based on what I perceive it to be thus far in the course.

Educational Technology – the study of new media for the purpose of instruction, learning or assessment and it’s intellectual, sociological, biological, cultural and psychological effects on the users of technology for educational purposes as well as the users’ influence on technology.

A good ET program should consider:

Efficiency – It must not be time consuming to use, learn or implement.

Support – from an expert (like a webmaster) for issues using the technology and Pro-D for the teacher who chooses to use it.

Autonomy – a teacher should have choice of what and how to integrate technology into the curriculum. Once the basics are mastered, students should have choice of how to present their learning through technology.

Purpose – teachers need to be thoughtful of their goals, curricular outcomes and skill level of their learners when using technology to teach content.

Skills – what is the skill level of students and teachers using the technology? Does the technology reach multiple intelligences?

Resources – is there money, time and permission from parents and administration to use the technology?

Testability – has the technology been used by other teachers? What are the pros and cons? Is it going to be around for awhile? How accessible and expensive are the updates?

Example of economic aspect of educational technology:

It’s important to study the commercialization of educational technology. For example, if Club Penguin published science units to use with primary students, I have to be mindful that I am, in a sense, marketing that business because they also sell dolls, books, games etc.