Re:
"For a graduate course called 'Contemporary Educational
Issues" at =
Central CT State Univ, I will participate in a debate on
the pros and =
cons of computers in schools, to be held in about two
weeks. While =
virtually everyone will agree that computers and the
internet as a =
resource have broadened the student's access to
information, I am =
particularly interested in whether you think this
broadened access has =
proven to be a help or a hindrance to actual learning and
creative =
thinking. Frankly, I sit on the fence on this issue. I am
looking for =
your views and your guidance in finding resources for my
debate."
I am currently working on my doctorate in art ed in art
and technology. I am all for technology in the classroom.
Too bad that the art teacher is usually the last one to
get a computer.
From my research, I have found that if you don't embrace
technology in the classroom - you will be a dinosaur.Our
job as educators means we are to prepare the way for our
students to live in this new millennium. Art not only
teaches students to read visual imagery, to investigate
and explore new areas, but also to develop higher level
thinking skills (analyzing, synthesizing, designing, and
creating) as called for in the complex future of a
technological world. These skills are survival skills for
the future.(There was an article by this name ,Giving our
children survival skills, done in the 80's on Margaret
Mead in McCall's Magazine)
Technology in art, as in any other subject, is not meant
to replace, but enhance the learning experience and the
capabilities/possibilities open to the user. Last year my
daughter had a science project to do (7th Grade). I
helped her and showed her how to research on the web.
There were some things way above her head and others that
were not. The material was quite current, including
experiments currently underway on her topic. The teacher,
who assigned the project, would not accept her research.
My daughter had to get it out of books - that were
written between 3 - 10 years ago. The information on the
web was the most current and at the same time
unacceptable. Is this real time education?
Maybe it is the fear that computers will take over our
roles as educators and as parents. Computers, technology
(Faster, bigger, better, more efficient!),and the web are
tools just as the telephone, automobile, calculator,
etc., are tools that made our world smaller and enhanced
communication and our environment. Technology does have a
down side as we count plane and car crashes, telephone
scams, pollution, pornography on the net,etc. But it all
comes down to who is using it and for what purpose.
I believe that computers cannot take our role as
educators, but it can enhance our classrooms. Technology
has made it easier for me to teach some things, but other
things need me or you there to teach our students. Those
totally depended on technology are like those totally
dependent on any 1 thing. It can undermine the
individual's character and become an addiction or wreak
havoc.
There will exist those individuals that can only function
with a computer/newer technologies, but some of those
individuals may be those that are sometimes classified as
a misfit in society (since they are the happiest with the
company of a machine rather than another human).There are
socialization issues that need to be examined as
technology becomes more pervasive in our society. Can
technology make us isolated instead of bringing us closer
together? I would say yes to that as well.
I think of all the new lessons we have covered in my
class due to the access given by technology. I have
discovered artists, cultures, mysteries and more to
inspire my teaching and my students. There are worlds my
students may not have uncovered through books alone.
Technology gives one access - and it appears to be an
instant access. It is how this access is used that
determines its effectiveness or its demise.
This issue is touched upon in US News and World Report,
September 25, 2000. You may want to get a copy if you
haven't gotten one. Another issue for you to investigate
might be how educators are prepared to teach with
technology - or are they just told to incorporate it into
their programs? Just what exactly is the educator's
responsibility/role in all of this? You might find some
of this on some of the previous forums.
Just my two cents worth:)
Vivian
=====
Increase the Peace ~^~
{^}
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free!
http://photos.yahoo.com/
