Is It Okay To Be Technologically Illiterate?

This is a reaction to Mathew Kearney’s posting: Reaction to Fisch.The posting asks a common question in schools and other industries, “Is it okay to be technologically illiterate?” It is that Mathew goes on to say, that perhaps it is not technological literacy that is needed, but rather an acknowledgment of the importance of technilogical literacy. I think I would tend to agree, without taking anything away from the importance of technological literacy. A good solution would be for other teachers (e.g. Maths, English, Science, Languages) to simply encourage students in the use of technology. Supplement this with a “Computers and Technology” teacher, which teaches them how to apply skills that can enrich their learning in other subjects. Such a system would require a great amount of communication between teachers, yet it would enrich the education system, in my opinion.

Learning Languages with Second Life

This a response to Manuela’s post: Learning Languages with Second Life. I found it interesting that a virtual, interactive 3d envirionment could be used to learn another languages. Although it is my opinion that such an environment can’t replace a real life environment with a real life speaker of that language, I understand that this is not available to most people. So in the absense of such a situation or as supplementary language learning I would definely encourage it.

K-12 and the Internet

Here is a video I made in relation to to K-12 and the internet, enjoy!

Video Link: K-12 and the internet

Identity Production and Why Youth (heart) MySpace

I recently read an article about the The Role of Networking Sites in Teenage Social Life[pdf]. The article tries to answer the question of why teens flock to Social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Xanga, and Bebo, etc. The article explains the idea of Public, Private and Controlled Spaces. For adults your house is a private space. An example of a Public place is a shopping mall, event or club, this is where one must put on a facade, or watch how you  present yourself. A controlled space for adults is most probably your work environment. Although for teens most spaces are controlled, and this includes both school and home. The appeal of social networking sites is in the ability to turn controlled spaces into Public and Private spaces by interacting with there friends in a manner in which they are free to express themselves. I think that in education it is important to have a careful balance spaces. Controlled so that they know boundaries, Public so they learn how to interact with the world and others, and Private so that they can express themselves comfortably.

Blogs for Second Language Teaching

This is a response to Rosa’s Posting on Using Blog for Teaching Second Language. I am glad that I read this as it is highlighted to me the importance of ICT training for teachers and then of course the students. The internet is a tool that allows a level of communication that could not have been imagined in the past. Therefore, it is fitting that it would be such an asset to education to those of a different language. In fact it gives communication to those who find it difficult to communicate with there geographical environment. A truly great resource!

Isolation And The Internet

This is a reactionary posting in response to Rosa’s post – Stop Isolation. This again highlights a case where technology if used in an incorrect manner can add to feelings of lonliness and depression. The posting highlights that there should be a balance between “time spent online and time spent talking with family and friends in person.” I think this an issue that should parants should know about that it is important to make decision for children at a young age when it comes to a balanced lifestyle. Be it excersise, diet, work and play a child must be taught how to enjoy things in a controlled environment. Excessive use of the internet can be unhealthy if not regulated properly.

Labors New School Laptop Plan

The Labor government is implementing a plan to allow individual computing access to students years 9 – 12. It is clear that the Labor government understands the importance of technology in the future of education. It is hoped that through further focus on technology a better learning environment will be provided, encouraging students to stay on till year 12. It is good to see that the government can see the need to engage with students on their level. The plan will also help teachers in schools understand the importance of technology in education.

References

1. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/hardware/soa/COAG-hits-green-light-for-Labor-school-laptop-plan/0,130061702,339287707,00.htm

Technology and Bullying

I was watching a story related to technology bullying on 60 minutes (a current-affairs tv program) recently. The article refered to cases where children were sent abusive text messages, and students posting videos of other students being physically abused on MySpace and YouTube. The story highlighted two things for me. The first was how technology can have negative impacts on education and learning as well as positive ones. The second was how we need to devlop an understanding with a childs perspective of technology. In the case of sms bullying some adults didn’t understand the perspectives of children. They would ask the question “Why don’t you just turn off your phone?” To the children technology is such a part of their lives that it is like saying “Just don’t communicate with people!”

Is it age or IT: First steps towards understanding the Net generation.

The internet is a pervasive part of modern generations and as such it is imperative to education that the teacher understands the concept of the “Net generation”. An article [1] that I read recently goes through steps to understanding the relationship between technology in both children and teenagers(ages 8-18) and college aged students  (ages 18-22). For children and teenagers, most of the use of computers is in the context of the home, yet as it is so common-place it hold a huge importance in their lives. For many children it becomes some of the way the express themselves as increasing young children have their own websites.

Girls are more likely to have a Web site than boys (12.2 percent versus 8.6 percent.)[2]

For College aged students, knowledge of the internet access is considered necessary as important information such as marks and exams dates, etc is only available through the internet.

The article went on to give advice on educating the “Net Geners” namely to ask the question, “who are our learners?” and “Are there ways to use IT to make learning more successful?”. In my opinion this is something that the current education system is poor at. There should be a greater effort into understanding our current generation so that we can use that knowledge to educate our current generation.

1. [Oblinger, D. & Oblinger, J. (2005). Is it age or IT: First steps towards understanding the Net generation. In Oblinger & Oblinger (Eds.) Educating the Net Generation. Educause.]
2. Peter Grunwald, “Two Million American Children Have Their Own Web Sites, Broad New Internet Survey Shows” (Bethesda, Md.: Grunwald Associates, December 4, 2003), http://www.schooldata.com/ssm-grunwald-internet.htm.

Students are the Creators of New Education with Technology

As a language teacher I also read a variety of important educational articles that are published by different universities and institutions of any of the 21 countries that speak Spanish around the world.

In the last issue of a magazine there was an article that really caught my attention as it refers to how the use of new technologies in classrooms at any school level can make teaching dynamic , and encouraging. In this way it allows the students to work in an active and motivated manner. The article also highlighted that by using new technologies the gap between rich and poor people is narrowed as this technology facilitate learning, especially to those that are far away from an educational institution and to those that after leaving high school are not confident of continuing future studies at a university level.