August 23, 2017

Technologically "Speaking"

Technological Education 

Education has changed greatly in the last 20 years. Schools have a great deal more technology, much higher expectations regarding state and national assessment, and a lot less opportunity to teach. As technology has become more and more commonplace in schools, it has caused a few changes along the way. Technology has been integrated into many assessment systems so students are able to be assessed digitally — which leads to presumably quicker results. Technology has also founds its way into students' pockets, which leads to problems with student attentiveness. I remember when texting first came around. My own kids would tell me how they could text with their phones in their pockets. I don't know how to do that, but a generation of kids do. This piece is not about educational technology but the technological education of our lives.

Everyone across the street is on a device while they wait for dinner. One person is connected to a cord in another person's pocket. I assume this is to keep the device charged. This is how we interact! 

I love technology and believe it has a place in education and in life. Just like any other tool, though, we have to use technology the right way. At one point, I may have thought that technology for technology's sake was a good thing; however, now young kids are glued to their devices. I do not think this is a good thing. At one point, when technology was expensive, schools could offer devices that students generally didn't have access to. Now, that technology devices are cheaper — and folks are  spending their money on the devices — everyone has a computer in their pocket. Just look the next time you go out to eat. Or while you're waiting to be seated (see above).

The technological education we are currently experiencing is like nothing we have seen before!

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