Technology Counts

The introduction to "Technology Counts" begins by telling us how they first began to fund technology for schools. Technology has changed immensely in the past 10 years. So much change has occurred that, as most of us know, most schools are struggling to keep up. The introduction mentions teachers using the internet, podcasts, cellphones, and I-Pods to teach. But is that really the case?

The answer is no when you look at what a few students have to say. The first student to comment talks about all the technology he uses at home before and after he goes to school. But while he is at school he is forced to be someone that he is not. At school he is told he cannot use the computer, and he cannot access useful websites. Yet, when given the chance to perform an assignment using technology he feels as though he is able to excel. Technology is something that today's students are extremely comfortable using. So why are we taking that away from them, and forcing them to do things they will not put creative effort into?

Using blogging in the classroom promotes, what one teacher called, "educational social-networking." In other words, students use the blog to have discussions they might not feel comfortable having in class. Blogs give the shy student a forum to shout, and give their opinions that they might otherwise keep to themselves. But of course, this only works in situations where computers and internet are available for all students.

I agree with the article that we need to ask our students how they think we could bring technology into the classroom. Ask them how they would choose to fulfill an assignment, or teach a certain lesson. They may have better answers than any adult!