Technology in the Classroom

I like the progressive view of education in which learning is recognized as an active process with the teacher guiding the student through questions and challenges that are meaningful to the student. Progressives realize the importance of teaching basic knowledge as one building block of education. The teacher and the student must progress past the basics and actively experience learning.
Where does technology enter into this active process? Progressivism realizes the value of basic facts that are relevant to every education. Computer literacy is now a basic fact of education. Students have to learn how to "do"technology and then they have to take it to the next level and make it work for them. By learning how to search, develop, and create, the student moves beyond basic knowledge and engages himself in a learning process that can continue his whole life. Mastery of technology is an education in itself. Progressives want the student and the teacher to work together to explore information, synthesize findings and present new knowledge. Technology places an infinite amount of knowledge at their fingertips.
Technology is invaluable in a classroom, especially when it is accompanied by instruction and feedback from the teacher. At a time when so many classrooms are understaffed, the use of technology can help the teacher instruct the students. The use of technology provides other methods for teaching the same material. Another important use is communication. Using the computer to communicate can help build relationships among the students, teacher and the parents. By introducing the computer as a valid form of communication, the teacher creates an additional learning environment.
Technology is an invaluable educational tool. It can be used in direct instruction and inquiry-based learning. It offers a variety of ways to reach different types of learners. It offers unlimited options for communication. Technology cannot replace student and teacher interaction. But it is a tool that can enable the student, teacher and the parent to work together to develop a better learning environment for the student.