Participating in Education 537 and indeed in the entire M. Ed. (Information Technology) Programme has caused me to reflect upon my thoughts regarding the use of Technology in Education. Like all teachers, I find myself drawn to anything which I think will augment my teaching methods and enhance learning within my classroom. I actually consider myself a little better-off than 'most teachers' because, like others participating in this programme, I have quite a bit of knowledge about how computers work and of their abilities (and limitations). That is, I have realistic expectations of them and consider them as learning tools. Many teachers are either afraid of them because they do not know what they can do or anything about them and many of them know a little about them but are under the impression that using them will solve all problems. Before enrolling in the M. Ed. Programme, I was already using computer technology in my classroom on a regular basis. However, I was not always aware of the things that I was missing or of the things which I was actually doing wrong.
First and foremost, computers and technology are not education. They are educational tools to be employed in the enhancement of learning. Letting kids get on the darned things and 'play' is all well and good, but there has to be more. If they are not guided, they will not be achieving true learning. Now, there are merits for 'play' as well, but this only goes so far... that is, playing is a great way to learn the skills associated with computer use, but it is important that once a student learns how to use a computer, s/he must then be challenged to go beyond knowing how to type and how to surf the Internet to doing both with purpose. Project Based Learning, WebQuests, etc. These are some activities which employ computer technology effectively. Discussion forums are great... but they need to be more than another way to do homework. I host the Virtual Literature Circles discussion forum and I have to admit, that I was in the entry phase for a long time... thinking that if I had my students responding to prompts via the Internet that I was doing great at integrating technology into my lessons. The problem is that they are not learning anything by doing that (they are merely doing more of the same old stuff that they do on their own). The forums ought to be used more for collaboration, group work, constructing meaning and products via the net. Otherwise, one has to ask: Why use the Internet?
Wow. What a question, right? Why? Why computers? Why the Internet? What purpose will it serve to have students type an assignment rather than do it by hand if the final products only differ in the fact that one is digital and the other analog? The answer, of course, is that in such an instance, there is no purpose to having students use the technology (other than the obvious -- having them practice their typing skills and making it easier for me to read). No... it is imperative that we, as teachers, recognize that using a computer doesn't mean that a computer is being used effectively.
So... how is a computer used 'effectively'? The short answer, of course, is when it enhances and promotes learning for one or many students. The challenge for teachers in designing lessons is to have students undertake worthwhile activities. I think the first step here is for educators to become educated. That is, to learn both the capabilities and the limitations of computer technology. Inservices, tutorials, etc... these are all well and good, but my best advice would be for teachers to take the time to 'play' themselves. Learn to type, learn how to create websites, learn a little .html code (if only to better understand what a hyperlink really is). Browse the net... google a topic and follow a line of inquiry until s/he becomes satisfied that s/he has learned something valuable -- do it... it will happen!
The next step is to have students do the same things, only, this time, use what s/he has learned him/herself to guide students to similar understandings. The point is that this won't happen overnight... it won't even happen in a year. But, it will happen. Things will improve. Start small: use a forum, have students email their work rather than hand-it-in. Have them create websites, portfolios, etc. Have them perform WebQuests, set up learning stations which require using many learning tools, only one of which will be the Internet. Guide them, coach them -- facilitate their learning.
Computers are quite often a barrier between teachers and students. Using technology effectively will, in effect, remove that barrier and bridge the gap between the (all too often separate) goals of teachers and students.