So, we have just visited the future - a very well funded school with a fantastic technology facility, and as impressive as it is, you can't help but feel if this is the future - is the future going to be fair????
Two issues for me - money and balance.
A laptop for every child, ipads for pre-primary and year 1's, no gadget over 2 years old, is this going to be the future ACROSS the board? Can't help but think this set up is not going to be replicated in country areas (where now they are still unable to access broadband!!!) and less advantaged metro suburbs. And for that matter any government schools - is the government really going to put in the money to provide such facilities? This is a fantastic facility for those who can afford to pay for it, and because of this doesn't it mean that the future will become a more exaggerated display of those who have, and those who have not! And will those who live in country, remote, or less affluent areas, have an education that is lacking?
The other issue for me is is this technology adding to and deepening the child's education or is it used for the sake of saying - 'we are using technology' - does it add to the learning experience of the child??? Yes it is engaging, yes it does motivate the students so that is good, but if it is used for the sake of using it (tokenistic) is it infact robbinbg the child of the experience of the task. Does hitting a screen on a ipad really simulate the atmosphere, tone, depth and experience of real music -the vibration, the depth of sound, the feeling that fills and builds in a room and gives you goosebumps???
Is technology being used in a BALANCED way or is it to replace everything, just for the sake of it. As a teacher are you bringing/using this technology in to the class to extend, deepen, and add to the students' learning.
My example of this (and my rant) is Wii Nintendo being used as a replacement for Phys Ed lessons - it is happening, and has been incorporated into the NSW curriculum.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/this-is-the-future-of-sport-in-schools-wii-instead-of-pe/story-e6freuy9-1225849277763
And here is my issue, is using this technology really better than the actual activity. I am sorry - but NO. You may work up a sweat, increase the heart rate, but it does not provide the motor skills, the hand-eye coordination, the cooperation of teamwork and the fresh air - it is fun, but will this improve the child's skills (learning)? I have taught tennis for 15 years, the old fashioned way, on a actual court, with actual balls and actual people and there is nothing worse for your tennis technique than Wii tennis. I made a lot of money that summer fixing kids tennis technique damaged by Wii tennis. The skills cultured by this specific technology are not a true representation of the real thing, and not transferable. When this is used in a learning environment does it, can it, really replace the experience???
Is this really a phys ed lesson?? What learning is happening???
And so while I think a great deal of this technology is great, I think the question is how is it being used, - is it in the best interest of the child ( isn't that the whole idea of learning). Is using technology for the sake of it perhaps robbing the child of the experience? I would say use technology, but with BALANCE. Where technology can aid and deepen the learning, use it , embrace it, but avoid enthusiastically embedding technology just because you can, and depriving the child of the learning from actual experience.
An editorial that I entirely agree with,
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/exercise-cannot-be-simulated/story-e6frezz0-1225849230539
but will stop now.
Jenni Hi
ReplyDeleteI was unable to go to the fanatsitc school but I am sure I would have been upset by it. I really dislike seeing inequity.
Whilst I was not physically there and therefore should not really comment. There are one or two things I would like to share with you. I am upset that there is this perceived need to renew the equipment every two years! Are there processes in place for recycling this very resource intensive technology? Some of the resources used in this technology is non renewable, a lot is very bad for land fill. Was this topic approached?
The second musing is about wii! It is banned from our household. My children make a commitment to outdoor sports. It used to be two each semester but now as they are approaching Years 11 and 12 it is down to one each season. They love it. I feel so vindicated that I stuck to my principles. They enjoy being out in all weathers - playing sport. They will cricket and tennis in 40 degrees, hockey and footy in the we. Because of this, going on a school hike is a breeze for them. So your comments about the wii made me feel good about some of the dreadful scenes we have had at home in the past.
Sometimes I feel we are loosing the ability to trust our intuition. Of course some technology is great and fantastic but a lot is very negative.
Finally I have enjoyed reading your blog.
thanks helena, yes I do get a little frustrated with technology replacing the REAL thing, or that it is seen as a improvement! I am not against Wii, but it is not a replacement for sport. It is fun, engaging - but it is not the real thing, and it will never provide the same experience. Have it , enjoy it, embrace it if you like, but don't think it can replace reality - it is after all just a video game. Teachers using it for PE - are not improving the learning experience. Good on you for providing your kids with the real thing - it will deepen them as human beings, add a depth that possibly we are losing.
ReplyDeleteThe school visit did not mention their recycling plan - got the feeling it was a very corporate, commercial, PR deal between the school and computer brand. Maybe they recycled their 2 yr outdated machines to the public schools? And no mention to the greenhouse gases, footprint, sustainability issues that arise from every minute being backed by the hum of technology.