Technology… “for technology’s sake”
Many in the education community have expressed opinions that earlier in our history, technology (i.e., computers) were introduced into our schools for the sake of introducing… technology.
I grew up during this generation. In the second-half of the first grade, we received one Apple //e computer in each classroom. When we got to use it, it was for things like Logo (making the turtle move) and educational games.
The games, like The Oregon Trail were far more popular and more widely used. I mean, how can a turtle compete with music, flashing graphics, and a persona who was talking to me?
I never felt that the computers were there “just because”. In hindsight, I could rationalize their existence because
- they were developing logical thinking skills more efficiently (Logo), and
- the games were motivational in ways other types of learning experiences were not.
But other folks felt the computers were there because the computers were the future. “Kids are going to have these in their offices and their workspaces and they need the experience of using this ‘future’ machines.”
No, that’s no real quote, but it’s the sentiment teachers today told me was floated about in the late 1980s and early 1990s where they began work.
And so today, we certainly do not use technology for “technology’s sake.” Right?
I think today we should have technology for technology’s sake more than ever before. But let me explain before you dismiss me.
Think about how school has changed from 1980 to 2005: that’s 25 years of innovation, folks. Except for the hair styles, or the markers replacing chalk, the only thing I could think of that’s changed in many schools is the technology. Yet, everything ought to have been evolving the whole time: room setups, collaborative spaces, and more flexibility for the school day.
Schools (and politics and human nature) being what each are, about the only thing maybe we could change was the technology. Broken computer? Sure, we’ll get you a new one… but it likely has new features.
Frustration set in when teachers discovered that this new computer ran a new system (What’s Windows?) and totally new software (Oregon Trail is in color now? Oh, we just now have a color screen… cool.).
Do we need technology because we have a leg-up on the skills kids will need 10 years from now? Well, I think being able to type on a computer, spell-check, perform a Google search are worthwhile, basic machine literacies that will likely be required in the majority of work, sure.
But by in large, they also do not take a long time to learn. So many technologies (cell phones, for instance) have adopted the same basic literacies that any child who is awake and is spoiled in this country is going to gain these literacies (to whatever degree) if they want to or not. So no, not technology for just developing basic literacies such as typing, spell-checking, or performing a Google search).
So why did I say what I did? Because technology in school enables us as educators to develop a diverse set of skills many are calling “21st century skills.” While these are not technology skills for the most part, many require technology beyond books, paper, and pencils to master.
We’re finally at that tipping point, to borrow a loaded phrase, where technology is no longer a luxury, it’s something society has donned necessary going forward. This isn’t new, it’s just the technology is new, this trend is historical. But it’s time schools caught up… because with the speed at which technology is changing, evolving, and emerging, we have little time to sit back and take our time.
We use technology to cope with the future.
These were just some thoughts in my head this morning as I was taking a shower and getting dressed, and I didn’t want to lose them… consider it a draft.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
One line and I don’t know where exactly it is from but I love it, “We need to educate students for their future not our past.” Great post!