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The Digital Age of Education

In his article, Listen to the Natives, Marc Prensky makes a compelling case for redefining how we teach in order to address a new generation of learners. He describes these learners as digital natives who are so technologically literate that they're beyond our scope of teachability. His outlook is so absurd that I have a hard time taking his writing seriously. For example, he states, "we can no longer use our 20th century knowledge or our training as a guide to what is best for them educationally." 


I believe in the core knowledge philosophy of teaching. I think students need to have basic knowledge and experience to advance their thinking and problem solving skills. Using technology as a medium to teach can be effective. However, I don't think it is realistic to expect technology to replace traditional methods or teachers. Prensky suggests, "We need more radical solutions. For example, students could learn algebra far more quickly and effectively if instruction were available in game format." I am very skeptical of how gaming actually builds original thought processes and problem solving skills. Repetitive game formats provide instant feedback and gratification but can't stretch the mind the way a teacher can. Incremental success in video games is what keeps kids addicted to progressing to new levels. Their skill level reflexes and speed increases but not new thought processes. However, I think technology can be used to augment a student's core knowledge and background experience in a given subject.


There will always be a place for traditional schools and methods of teaching. Students who are using advanced technology aren't smarter than teachers of today because they've become adept in using what I'll call novelty items. In fact, I would suggest it is the devices that are smarter, i.e. "the smartphone" and not the student. Basic problem solving methods can be used at all levels of learning and are best taight through teachers. Educators are able to differentiate children according to talents and strengths whereas, technology cannot identify or challenge a student's potential. 

Powerpointlessness!

In my experience "Powerpoint" has become a generic term that refers to a computer based slide presentation. When we are asked to create a "Powerpoint" it seems like the "Powerpoint" becomes the hallmark of the assignment. The usage of PowerPoint has also become a generic measure of technical ability. While one may be very adept at creating fancy transitions and making fireworks appear onscreen the depth and breadth of content gets lost among the residual smoke. The article, Scoring Power Points, states that "powerpointing can become a goal in itself - an unfortunate example of technology being done for technology's sake."

I think the author is trying to say that powerpointlessness is when the presentation is put together so poorly that it doesn't convey a meaningful message. A great deal of effort is spent on the visual presentation with little attention to the content. The article also mentions that students usually spend more time on the special effect than on the topic being presented. Additionally, when there is too much text or too many bells and whistles in a presentation the audience becomes distracted. The distractions from too many fancy special effects and not enough engaging evidence loses the audience and the Powerpoint becomes pointless. 

I have seen many pointless PowerPoint presentations. Students have used them to present what they have previously "cut & pasted" rather than using it to highlight their own ideas and thoughts about issues. I think we can teach students to do them effectively by focusing on the topical content of their material rather than on the presented outcome. I think we should require students to complete their research and a rough draft prior to telling them it will culminate in a PowerPoint presentation. We should also monitor their research and ensure there is adequate data for them to make their points. According to the article their points should be tied directly to the evidence and the PowerPoint should be used to make an interesting representation of those ideas. 

Teaching students about creating effective PowerPoints should be a priority when it is part of the curriculum. I feel that students can develop bad habits related to ineffective PowerPoints early on and it will be much harder to break those habits as they get older. Educators should also be very involved in helping students understand how to use the tool when it is first introduced to avoid those ineffective tendencies. 

It's unfortunate to miss the mark on how to use a tool like PowerPoint effectively. Powerpoints should be used to further build on an author's body of work and collection of thoughts and ideas. It can be an effective communication tool to enhance ideas, present compelling evidence and engage audiences. 

Higher Order Thinking Through Technology

One of the primary goals of higher order thinking skills (HOTS) is to take what is known and make something more out of it. In short, taking the information we possess and using it to create or build something new and/or arrange that information in an innovative, more meaningful or creative way.

The practice of stimulating thought processes that reach beyond basic recall skills is thought to develop higher order thinking skills. The degree to which these processes are challenged will cause students to continually think at higher cognitive levels. The distinct thinking skills that Bloom's Taxonomy has identified fall into six primary categories:

Knowledge - What you know?
Comprehension - What do you understand about what you know?
Application - How do you use what you know?
Analysis - What similarities, trends, or problems can you identify in what you know?
Synthesis - Can you combine what you know to develop a new idea?
Evaluate - How can you evaluate what you know to develop a new idea?

The integration of technology in education supports the development of HOTS by providing a vast array of innovative tools which allow students to acquire and manipulate knowledge. Many new online tools that I had never heard of were introduced in the techtorial on the Education-World website.

I think if educator's are willing to learn how to use some of the tools that were noted, technology can be an effective means to fostering HOTS. The first and most obvious tool is using the internet to gather information. Within that are even guidelines to make sure students access relevant and appropriate grade level information. I think it's important to aware of this because if the information is too complex or not relevant children will lose interest and potentially miss their learning opportunity. A negative result of this would be that technology is experienced as too difficult or cumbersome and not effective.

I think one of the more exciting categories that technology can address is the application of information. No longer is learning a passive experience for children when they can actively interact with programs that test their knowledge and skills and measure their progress. In addition, there are so many creative sites which allow kids the opportunity to build up virtual worlds which become progressively complex as their experience and knowledge increases.

Another way to foster HOTS is through sites with activities that challenge students to go beyond the web and interact with students from other schools. For example, participating in debates regarding controversial science topics. These types of activities allow children to utilize their knowledge base and construct new pieces of knowledge based upon the varied interactions they experience.

I was surprised at the number of technology tools that can address each of the thinking skills noted in Bloom's list. The challenge for educators will be to learn which tools are effective and how to use them in the classroom. They can be used very effectively to develop HOTS, augment lessons and enrich the experiences of students. I am sure this will come through the process of trial and error as we are also still learning and making our way through technology's vast web of resources.

Introduction

Hello:

My name is Barb and I have a great husband and two wonderful boys who love to laugh and be silly. Fall is our favorite time of year because it includes football games, apple picking and homemade soups. In my spare time I enjoy scrapbooking, running and cooking tasty meals.

I want to be a teacher because I love learning and I want children to love learning too. As a stay-at-home mom I have watched my children expand their curiosity and learn so much through everyday experiences. I saw them develop their distinct imaginations and interests and was amazed at the depth of ability they demonstrated over the years. I often wonder how many teachers see that much potential in their students. Since I saw it in my children, I know it exists in all children. I want to be a teacher who makes a difference by acknowledging the potential in all students.

I feel very comfortable using computers. Prior to having children I had a twelve year career in the computer software industry. I was a Marketing Manger and sold enterprise wide software applications to Fortune 1000 corporations. Although I am not "technical" I have been using computers for many years in many different capacities. I am recently an Apple Mac convert because I find the integration of their applications incredibly smooth and user friendly. However, this has put me at a disadvantage because I am no longer very familiar with the Microsoft suite of products that are so commonly used.

My comfort level with peripherals is medium, I only use them for very basic projects. I import my photos from my digital camera and use templates to make scrapbooks which get printed through an online company. I also import videos and can use movie making software to embellish the footage. I can burn those movies onto a DVD to be shown on the television. I use scanners to scan documents and email for just about anything.

During this class I hope to learn about integrating technology into classrooms effectively. I'd like to develop a strategy for introducing students to technology for educational purposes and not just gaming. I also hope to become more proficient at learning the Microsoft tools. I just purchased MS-Office and want to get more familiar with it during this class. I'd also like to learn more about creating websites and blogging. Those are two things I have always wanted to learn more about over the years.