Why technology?
Such a basic question, but a really important one, especially in these times of fiscal responsibility. What are we getting for our buck, and why should we continue supporting its use in schools. I think there are three reasons…
(1) Technology is used to support learning. Whether its a spreadsheet to analyze data, a videoconference to connect to the outside world, PowerPoint or iMovie to assemble a presentation, technology can be used effectively to allow users to manipulate information in new and creative ways in the classroom.
(2) Technology can be a force in school change. Technology can be most powerful when viewed in conjunction with moving from a lecture-based classroom to one that is more constructivist in nature. Students have more control over their learning, making it more flexible, engaging, and challenging.
(3) It’s a technological world. Our students need to gain far more in school than mastery in the core content areas. Their future jobs will require them to collaborate, debate, compromise and solve problems creatively, often times using technology.
Technology has been the embodiment of much social and economic change in our society during the last century, but particularly in the last decade. Our schools really must keep up with this change or become irrelevant in the lives of our children.
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