Technology Today

I love thinking about the future of technology as related to educational settings. I can remember being in elementary school on Long Island , N.Y. during the mid nineties.  The cutting edge of integrating technology into the curriculum lay on the foundation of putting a large group of students in front of desktop computers and having them use a word processor. Fast forward almost 20 years I have transferred my primary role from student to teacher in the field of education. After reviewing Ingvi Hrannar Ómarsson's blog post about "obsolete" in today's schools I started reflecting on computer rooms versus the experience my students have in my classroom.( http://ingvihrannar.com/14-things-that-are-obsolete-in-21st-century-schools/) At the beginning of the school year I had to front load a lot of basic hardware and software lessons to help the students be successful using technology to its maximum potential. I agree with Ómarsson's view that a large computer room can be ineffective when a class is brought in for one lesson (taught in isolation from their regular learning environment) then brought back to class, leaving the technology behind. Having a fully integrated model where students learn and program and then have the technology with them as they learn the rest of the day seems a lot better to me.

I believe the best part of the technology today is the affordability and access. Their are so many programs and opportunities to help put hardware and software in the hands of students. With many grants, scholarships, donations and some school funds most classes should have the technology needed to prepare todays students for college and career readiness.

 

 

Works Cited

Ómarsson, I. H. (2014, February 26).  14 things that are obsolete in 21st century schools Retrieved from http://ingvihrannar.com/14-things-that-are-obsolete-in-21st-century-schools/