NEW USES OF COMPUTERS IN EDUCATION

The article entitled, New Technology is Poised to Disrupt Americas Schools, and then the Worlds, addresses the impact of technology in the classroom and its effects on how students learn. This article outlines the importance of schools incorporating computer technology in their classrooms or risk being left behind. The author explains the reasons why a profound shift and transformation in education is finally catching on due to the accelerated use of technology in the classroom. According to the article, the idea of technology in the classroom is not new, but it now seems as if information technology in particular, has significantly impacted the educational process, through the use of online resources, wikis, podcasts, training videos, etc. Currently, I am a student, studying to be a special education teacher and hope to be employed as such someday. I agree with the author of this article, in that technology as it relates to education is essential and is becoming more and more apparent in the classroom. Most teachers now incorporate Smartboards in their classrooms, as well as various software programs used throughout the day to help students learn to read, spell and understand math. Most elementary schools, grades K-6, now have an allotted time period in which students are dedicated to learning basic computer functions and are allowed to simply surf the internet or learn and play with various educational software. Most suburban high school students now graduate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and nearly all students have internet skills. The idea of adaptive learning was discussed in this article, which is the idea of blending software with human intervention. This idea was new to me. According to the article, computer programs that monitor a childs progress allow for continual assessment of his or her abilities and shortcomings. Adaptive learning allows teachers and parents to better understand the NEW USES OF COMPUTERS IN EDUCATION 2

student himself. Because data is derived from each response the child gives on the computer, learning can be more tailored to the childs educational needs. According to the ar I definitely hope to incorporate computer use in my classroom as a special education teacher. Special education students love to use the computer as well as regular education students. I like the idea of blending computer based education with the more traditional method of teachers helping individual students. I also like the idea that the computer can not only enhance and stimulate student learning, but can also help the teacher keep better records of her students and track their progress. This article made a great case for the importance and effective use of computers in our classrooms. Because new technology is so vitally important, I would advocate for computer software if I were in a district, for instance, that didnt have such technology. It is important, if nothing else, to expose students to the internet. It is vital, in my opinion, that students understand how to maneuver the internet, at the elementary level especially, in order to become self-sufficient in tomorrows world.