Monday, March 22, 2010
Tech Standards
The technology standards set very high goals for the students and the teachers. When I first read them I thought to myself how much they reflected Bloom's taxonomy and encouraged higher learning using technology. I was struck by how the tech standards sounded so student-centered and constructivist. They also seem unrealistic. It would be incredible if every student understood what was possible using a computer. The problem is that every student and teacher is required to have access to this technology. And based on the standards, they are going to need frequent access to technology in order to master these requirements. I realize that technology becomes more affordable each day but it is constantly being updated and reworked. This is placing huge demands on school systems;many are just not able to keep up financially. For these standards to be met the school must be technologically-oriented. In the school my children attend there is a new computer lab and a cart of laptops. There is also a full time technology teacher. Besides private school tuition we pay a $150 technology fee per student. These students should reach the standards. I observed a 6th grade class at a CPS. It had two dusty computers on a table in the back of the classroom. There was no computer lab or teacher. The students obviously had access to computers at home, carried cell phones and used iPods. They are acquainted with technology but not through school. The technology standards set excellent educational goals. Educational standards of working collaboratively, supporting individual learning and contributing to the learning of others should be part of the academic curriculum but not only if technology is available. Science and math teachers will always welcome the use of manipulatives and lab equipment to teach but both subjects can be learned without these "extras". Technology cannot be taught without the relevant tools. The standards are good but I don't know if schools can be expected to teach when it is so expensive to provide the right technology.
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I agree that the unequal funding of schools across the country will make it very difficult if not impossible for many teachers to meet these standards. The anxiety that these teachers may feel from not being able to meet these standards due to no fault of their own is grossly unfair. Perhaps these standards are to specific and far reaching for an educational system with so many local varying funding levels.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, there is no way to truly teach the technology standards without the proper tools. Its sad that this depends totally on a school's funding and access to money for technology. I think the gap between the haves and have-nots will keep expanding when it comes to technology. this in turn will have such an impact on kids in the future. In one of my other classes we were talking about how most people today cannot even get a job unless they can fill out an online application. Kids who never learn how to use technology may not be able to function in the real world. Schools should try to close this gap the best they can with the resources that they do have. They may not be able to have a huge impact but perhaps they can at least introduce kids to some of the things they will need to know in the future.
ReplyDeleteVery nice post! M & L say well whatever I might have considered adding...
ReplyDeletejd