Responds Paper for this term

Responds Paper

by
Jeff Ward



ED 4862 (Information and Communications Technology II) February 15th 2008



Instructor Jeff Whipple



“It was the best of times, it was the worst of time.”, Is a quote that can clearly describe the challenges that we as individuals, parents, schools, business people and society are truly facing with respect to the futuristic ideas on how the nature of information will continue to change. Technology is evolving so quickly at times that in many situations many forms are becoming obsolete while they are still on the market shelves. What can we do as the masses to keep up with the changes? I believe that we need to focus on the following; education, updates of programs, keeping up with companies buying other companies, hybrid learning approaches, investing on technology smart, and most importantly stick to traditional learning skills.

Now there are many partnership that are currently out there that everyone must keep in mind. Major players such as Microsoft, Google, and Apple are just a few examples. One great partnership that just ended was between Microsoft and M.I.T., who are two major giants in the technology world. In an article written by Seely Brown, he stated the following “The conference was organized to mark the end next year of an eight-year partnership between Microsoft and M.I.T. explore the use of technology in learning.” Martin LaMonica 2006. It is about these partnerships that Seely Brown argues in following statement.

“ education is going through a large-scale transformation toward a more participatory form of learning. Rather than treat pedagogy as the transfer of knowledge from teachers who are experts to students who are receptacles, educators should consider more hands-on and informal types of learning. These methods are closer to an apprenticeship, a farther-reaching, more multilayered approach than traditional formal education, he said.” Martin LaMonica 2006.


In the article by Seely Brown, He argues a point on how education is enhanced by technology. He stated

“Some universities are using the Web-community approach as well. A Web site set up at Brown University called the Decamarom Web brings together experts on a novel by Boccaccio… Online communities are forming around a wide variety of topics. Amateur astronomers, for example, are sharing information among themselves and even with professionals….As you work shoulder to shoulder with other kids, all the work you do and work in progress is done in public. So others understand what you're thinking," Martin LaMonica 2006.

I agree with Browns point of view. For example of this course is a great example on how 57 students from 9 different First Nations, Two Different provinces, all to reach a common goal of further education. This is also great way to create partnerships in the business world. Many small companies could not afford to travel to make partnerships that would allow them to be successful. Another note for students this form of technology “gives undergraduate students "an apprenticeship platform" for learning the practice of scholarly debate,” Martin LaMonica 2006.


However one can look at the total opposite side of the scale. There are many arguments from researches that the following;

“Technology changes faster than educational researchers can study it. Although many researchers insist computers are valuable in schools, they readily admit they can't yet say whether technology actually helps kids achieve educational goals. Have schools jumped onto the technology bandwagon too soon? In this story, Education World focuses on some of the research that makes a strong case against the way technology is currently used in schools.” Glori Chaika 1997
This statement has truly created a shadow of a doubt. Also to add to the argument the article goes on to say,
“Educational psychologist and long time teacher and administrator Jane M. Healy, once an advocate of technology in the schools, sees many problems with the way educational technology is used today. It's become an idea that has taken over the public consciousness, helped, of course, by the mass promoting of these products to kids as young as a year-and-a-half." Glori Chaika 1997


Which also goes on saying “…the sparse objective evidence indicates that computers have thus far contributed nothing of note to the learning process.... There is no question that computers are 'motivating' to children -- but are they motivated to learn or just to play with the computer?" Glori Chaika 1997 . One would question that most programs are for sell and not for education. This is a easy fact to believe, considering the big companies are out there to make money.

In conclusion I believe that we need to focus on the following; education, updates of programs, keeping up with companies buying other companies, hybrid learning approaches, investing on technology smart, and most importantly stick to traditional learning skills. And like what was seen in the video in regards to the future, it can go any directions and we as society will all be a part of it, If we like it or not.






Reference:


http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6140175.html Futurist: To fix education, think Web 2.0. By Martin LaMonica, News.com Posted on ZDNet News: Dec 1, 2006 9:07:00 PM

http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin121.shtml Technology in Schools: Some Say It Doesn't Compute!. Article by Glori Chaika 1997Education World® Copyright © 2006 Education World. 06/23/1997

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/epic. Epic 2015by Robin Sloan and Matt Thompson