In society today, technology is continually evolving and growing. Technology is being used in every job today one way or another. Since school is supposedly preparing students for jobs, should technology not be a part of their education? As Sam Roberson says in Defying the Default Culture and Creating a Culture of Possibility, “—schools as we now know them are becoming increasingly irrelevant. One obvious reason for this irrelevance is that schools are failing to change with the times.” (p 886) Roberson is setting an expectation for education to use technology in a way that will prepare the students for its use in society and culture. He goes on to discuss how the classroom has not changed much in the past century with the teachers still at the front of the classroom lecturing. More student involvement and use of technology needs to occur. It is evident that Roberson feels this way from the quote: “If one of the traditional purposes of schools—to prepare students for the outside world — is valid, then it seems reasonable that educators should be on the look-out for changes within the larger environment and mirror those changes within the school.” (p. 889) This will help prepare students better to fulfill the requirements of the Framework for 21st Century Learning which Roberson also includes. Roberson also states that “adhering to outdated educational practices and ignoring the demands of the world outside the school, schools are retreating into irrelevance rather than charging full face into the challenges and opportunities of the future.” (p. 886) Since there is an expectation put onto education by the use of technology in society and culture that is not being met, some think education is becoming irrelevant. Over all, if more technology is incorporated into the classroom, the more prepared a student will be for the real world. This could greatly improve students achievement.
You hit on what I think is the most valid and striking argument of the article. Schools are meant to help prepare students to succeed in society at large. If we are, in this case, defining student achievement as their success in the outside world, I think your assessment that the use of more technology in the classroom could greatly improve student achievement is absolutely correct.
ReplyDeleteI like how you explained to us that school is suppose to be preparing us for the world outside of school. Robertson made many points about how the school of today is not ready for the technology that it should be in the 21st century. We as educators need to help the demands of outside world by filling our classrooms with the needed technology. You have made a great point that preparing students with technology will help them for the real word and their own achievements.
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out that technology is a part of every job out there today, cause that is very true. The classroom is still how it always has been, but technology has changed. I agree that its time we get our students involved and incorporate more technology in our teaching.
ReplyDeleteGreat job pointing out the true reason for education. Education is not simply making students learn facts, but it is equipping them to succeed on a grander stage than simply making A honor roll. Technology can definitely help the adjustment and transition from scholasticism to real world impact.
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