Technology Enables Learning

Technology- A transformative, pervasive global force

Revolutionary
Teaching and learning are changing as a result of technology. Schools need to take unprecedented leaps to stay on top of technological advances. Benefits:
Faster acquisition of experiences New ways to comprehend knowledge without traditional teaching pedagogy Change thinking processes and encourage people to think for themselves

This is NOT a Gimmick

Technological knowledge itself is fundamental and should be deeply incorporated into main courses of study in schools (p.281). Teachers role changes from sage on the stage to guide on the side. Technology as knowledge and a means to learning and developing improved knowledge.

Evidence
Reeves (1998): 50 years of educational research indicates that media and technology are effective in schools as phenomena to learn from and with (p.281). See improved student outcomes and information access and improved teaching. Tamin (2011): And blended, face-to-face, and online learning environments produced the best results in student learning (p.282).

Importance in Schools
Lemke (2005) writes about policymakers recognizing the relationship between technology and the No Child Left Behind Act and the expectations for learning returns. Gallups national survey
98% of respondents believe technology should be in the school curriculum 79% feel it is very important for showing math, science, and technology relationships 76% feel it is very important for teaching technology skills

Necessary Developments
Students must have technological knowledge, skills, and attitudes as society requires a populace well informed about new technology use and its societal value. Benefits defined by Papert (2002):
Mobilize powerful ideas (p.284) Children more than passive recipients (teaching alongside teachers)

Standards (NETS) being developed for schools

Obstacles
Funding
Lack of funding expands the digital divide between upper SES and lower SES

Schools change not occurring as quickly as technological change.

In Sum
Technology in schools is stimulating, interactive, visually stunning, pleasing in sound, and engaging of mind (p.287). Student research is incredibly enhanced by technology and provides learning experiences not available from books and teachers Incorporating technology in schools works toward improving our education system and increasing our ranking among scientific achievements and world leadership