tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3798474257765755619.post536672268268813715..comments2019-10-27T23:59:09.512+08:00Comments on Heather Dowd: The Cultural Impact of Computer TechnologyHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567842980372685993noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3798474257765755619.post-86478423765999981282008-09-02T10:12:00.000+08:002008-09-02T10:12:00.000+08:00I agree that we're experiencing a learning revolut...I agree that we're experiencing a learning revolution! I related to your feeling of being suddenly lost for words when asked point-blank why a student needed a graphing calculator after "we always learned fine without one." It's hard to argue with tradition and deeply-ingrained habits, but we need to find clear ways to articulate what we know instinctively as users and promoters of educational technology - that, if used correctly, technology tools will enhance and deepen our students' knowledge, not just provide "cool tools" for them to play with. So many people dismiss the use of technology as frivolous and unnecessary, when it is actually essential and inevitable in the widely changing and evolving 21st Century. Thanks for a thoughtful post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3798474257765755619.post-68112942076210510422008-09-02T19:58:00.000+08:002008-09-02T19:58:00.000+08:00Absolutely agree that the internet and especially ...Absolutely agree that the internet and especially the appropriate use of web2.0 in the classroom offers powerful learning tools. As more and more teachers embrace these tools, their impact will flow further afield. I have used them for just over 12 months and am still amazed by the benefits that this can reap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3798474257765755619.post-7750921294493100622008-09-03T00:20:00.000+08:002008-09-03T00:20:00.000+08:00"If Ginger's students do happen to forget 90 perce..."If Ginger's students do happen to forget 90 percent of what they learned last week (which I doubt!), I bet they will remember how to research and get it back." <br><br>I really liked this sentence. The ability to find information and evaluate its worth is really where education for K-12 and higher ed needs to go. I would much rather help people develop skills and processes to find out what they need than to prepare them for a test on which they regurgitate information. Thanks for sharing this!<br><br>Laurie Fowler<br>Tuscaloosa, ALAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3798474257765755619.post-75800630095198246642008-09-03T01:21:00.000+08:002008-09-03T01:21:00.000+08:00Heather I completely agree that the advances in In...Heather I completely agree that the advances in Information Technology has greatly increased our learning and productivity across industries, not just the teaching environment. Of course my only experience in this is as a geologist in the oil industry. Just in my 5 years experience, information technology has had a sky rocket advance. In discussing this topic with those that have 20 years experience, you can imagine the change they have gone through in those years! One drawback that keeps coming up when talking about these technological advances is that sometimes instead of advancing your understnading there is almost a drawback. For example spening too much time trying to learn what buttons to push and making geologic maps....now we have a 3D modeling program that with just the touch of a button a map is generated in seconds. In the past these maps were hand drawn and would sometimes take days if not weeks to come up with a map that makes geologic sense. During that time you think through the process more thoroughly (not worrying if you pushed the right button), and have a complete understnading of how that map was put together. When generating a map from the computer, you have no idea the concepts the computer used to put that map together. Having gone through the hand mapping exercise, I felt I understood the geology better than what the computer spit out. That being said, the computer generated models can be done so fast that you increase drilling and increase productivity, than taking weeks to get a map together to pick a well location. I think there is a fine balance, and there needs to be a complete understanding of how these computer programs, graphic calculators, or any other device to aid in learning are working behind the black box. Here is my 2 cents on how this advance in technology has influenced my little world. And I do know I could never live without my Dell Precision 490 with duel 27" flatscreen monitors, and HP Lenux workstation with duel 19" flatscreen monitors in my office....whether it makes me stop thinking or not...heheAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3798474257765755619.post-43247700912707802672008-09-03T04:48:00.000+08:002008-09-03T04:48:00.000+08:00Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I agre...Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I agree sharon_elin, it is our job to be able to articulate the benefits and necessity of the learning tools we are asking students to use. As murcha has attested, these new tools provide so much to the learning environment. Dean Mantz recently blogged a <a href="http://dmantz7.edublogs.org/2008/09/02/my-passion-for-education/" rel="nofollow">metaphor of technology as the raisin in the oatmeal cookie</a>, just one more ingredient we can use to effect better learning. And, as hmdowd pointed out, sometimes our best tool is to do things the long, slow way to really understand what is going on before we can graduate to a higher tech tool. That is the art of teaching - choosing the appropriate tool, high tech or not, for learning to happen.<br><br>Laurie - I really think my success in school can be attributed to being taught how to research and learn on my own. It's always my goal for students...help them become lifelong learners.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3798474257765755619.post-51888387598825295782008-09-03T06:19:00.000+08:002008-09-03T06:19:00.000+08:00I am so glad to read how you like the concept of a...I am so glad to read how you like the concept of a college professor permitting the students to assist in designing the course curriculum. That is the approach I am wanting to try out with the pre-service students enrolled in my "Technology in the Classroom". It is a smaller group this semester so I am hoping it goes well. I plan on showing them the Vision of Students Today and the Vision of K-12 Students today in hope of getting them thinking on what could be used to spark interest in learning. I will also use the LoTi survey and model with them. Again, I truly enjoyed your article and look forward to reading additional posts. Best Wishes this year!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3798474257765755619.post-45183205540982363702008-09-03T08:06:00.000+08:002008-09-03T08:06:00.000+08:00With the information revolutions comes the need to...With the information revolutions comes the need to navigate through content that is much more complex and the expectations more rigorous. We never needed graphing calculators because the concepts that we studied in math didn't require such a tool. Great post Heather with rich observations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com