Technology and student success

This week’s readings all discussed technology access and its impact on student’s education as well as technology in the work force. After reading all of the articles, it reaffirmed that in this time in society to advance yourself you must be technology savvy. As a computer instructor, I can see how the drive for students to be proficient in computer use is so strong. In most occupations today in order to be successful one must be proficient in technology.

In the article Multicultural Education and Progressive Pedagogy in the Online Information Age and Technology as a Tool in Multicultural Teaching, both articles discussed technology and how it has influenced student success. In the first paragraph of Multicultural Education and Progressive Pedagogy in the Online Information Age, Gorski states that there is no evidence that computers and internet strengthen teaching or student achievement, so why is there such a push for technology. In my opinion, I feel computers and the internet at times can make a student’s task more difficult since, there is so much information provided. I can recall being in high school and not having a computer nonetheless internet access and I did just fine in all subject matters. Perhaps, having a computer may have made my homework assignments a lot easier to complete but in the end, it made me more disciplined since I had to work harder than those who had computers and internet access.

Internet access can be a powerful tool in the classroom when students understand how the internet can open doors to different avenues of education. As Sleeter stated in the article Technology as a Tool in Multicultural Teaching technology and multicultural education can be important in engaging students in all subject matters, to help facilitate and bridge access to language, literacy, math, science etc. technology gives students the ability to interact and learn from other students all around the world.

In the article Connecting Kids to Technology, the author discusses the accessibility different ethnicities have to technology use. In reading all of data, it is sad to find that most minorities have limited access to technology. In many homes students do not even, own a computer. Unfortunately, this expands the technology accessibility gap between ethnicities. What will be done to fill this gap? Is it the responsibility of public education to narrow this technology gap?

THOUGHTS AND CONCERNS REGARDING THIS WEEKS READINGS ON TECHNOLOGY

This week’s readings highly focused on technology and the huge advancements that have occurred throughout the years. One aspect that was addressed was the phenomenon of the World Wide Web. In the article Programmed Instruction and Interactive Multimedia: A Third Consideration by Jason Cruthirds and Michael Hanna valid and interesting points were made about technology and how student success is affected. The article looked into program instruction and stated that such instruction was to teach by asking a series of carefully planned questions. To me this is interesting because based on the responses you give will determine if additional questions will be asked or if further explanation needs to be given. It seems that such type of set up helps students further advance in the subject being taught. Another interesting point that was discussed was the features and use of the computer. According to the authors one of the most powerful and important features of a computer lies in a virtually unlimited range of instructional control options. Being a computer instructor at a college, I could not agree more with this statement. It certainly is true that the more control you have over a program will result in greater student success since; you could mold the program to fit student’s needs.

The article goes on to discuss several different important theorists to the field of education. Bandura states that students process and weigh information concerning their own capabilities this in turn will affect their behavior towards learning. An interesting fact that is that people use four types of information to form such an expectation they are a) personal accomplishments, b) social comparison, c) rhetorical effect, and d) emotional arousal. I agree that computers are exceptionally well designed to provide the four kinds of interactive information.

In the article Technology in a Constructivist Classroom by Donna Ferguson, readers are given the opportunity to look into technology and constructivism. The article explains that technology has revolutionized American culture. However, that an entity of society still needs to catch up and that is educators and their use of technology in the classroom. On a personal note, I have noticed that many educators today are apprehensive to learn about technology. Many have stated that perhaps it is due to the feeling of intimidation and the barrier it creates in instruction between the teacher and student. The article states that technology use in the classroom offers endless benefits and provides a powerful set of tools, regardless of the subject being taught. As a computer instructor I agree and disagree, sometimes students are not willing to read their textbooks to find answers, instead they just jump to the web to find solutions. This in turn affects student’s ability to think critically.

First blog ever

Wow, It's my first time ever blogging. So, far so good it seems like something I will enjoy doing. This blog was set up to provide detail of my experience in the classroom using technology and to also discuss important issues that may arise in MAE 638. This blog will serve as a reflection piece of the many adventures and challenges faced in the classroom. In my classes there is an array of learners. Some students are extremely proficient in computer applications while there are others that do not know how to turn on a computer. As a teacher it is a challenge to get everybody ready and eager to learn the software in 11 weeks. I hope to share a lot with everyone about the ups and downs of technology use in the classroom. Till we meet again!