Chapter 11 Reflection

Schooling used to be all about rote memorization. Now, contemporary theories have suggested that students are not simply passive receivers of information, but need to be engaged and active in the learning process. Today's cognitive field psychologists offer some explanations of learning: learning is an internal adaptation to experiences; disequilibrium is motivation for learning; learners are intrinsically curious; and big ideas and pictures transfer to other contexts. These psychologists also offer three implications for teaching with technology: scaffold student learning with technology withing the context of the subject matter so that they also learn about technology; vary the experiences with technology as a tool for learning; and select problems that motivate and challenge students to use the technology as tool for exploration.
I wonder about how to use technology effectively, without using technology simply for the sake of using technology.
I think I will try to incorporate technology into my own lesson plans as much as possible, while still making sure that my students are learning the lesson content.

Chapter Three Reflection

Over the years, both the content of school curriculum, and the desired outcomes have changed drastically. During the agricultural age, most families found it unneccessary to have literacy skills, and thus didn't value sending their children to school for the most part. During the industrial age, many school subjects focused on memory, speed, and repeatability, skills that people would need to successfully work in factories. Since that time, education has changed significantly. With all the new technologies available, including the Internet, the International Society for Technology in Education had to issue new standards that they believed American educators should offer students. Some of these include preparing students to be able to: communicate using different media formats, compile, organize, and synthesize information, collaborate and cooperate in team efforts, and interact with other in ethical and appropriate ways.

Even since my own parents attended school, technology has changed a lot of the learning environment. For instance, many math operations that they were required to perform by hand are often done on a calculator today. However, I think it is important to have an understanding of the concept, rather than just pushing a button.

I wonder how to incorporate technology in a way that won't discourage doing things "the old-fashioned way". I know if children are given a calculator, they are more likely to rely on it to perform math operations, rather than figuring it out in their heads.