The development of technology is assuredly changing the discourse of education and in fact it is changing how children see the world before they get to these "science" classes. Here is a chunk from an article on macstories.net:
For the past years, Apple has been showcasing the educational advantages of devices like Macs, iPhones and iPods on its Apple in Education website. Since the introduction of the iPad in 2010, however, the company has been making an effort to position the device as the best tool now available to teachers and students to improve the quality of education and level of engagement. The dedicated iPad in Education webpage showcases recent moves by Apple such as iBooks Textbooks and the iTunes U iOS app.
While we have covered schools and educational institutions adopting iPads in the past, the latest profile posted by Apple today on their UK website is quite possibly the best example of iPad in education to date. Those of you who have been following the progress of iPad deployment in schools may remember Fraser Speirs’ iPad Project, which made headlines throughout 2011 as it was the first one-to-one iPad deployment to every people in a school. Speirs documented the process of giving an iPad to every teacher and student at Cedars School of Excellence (Scotland)on his personal website, and today Apple has posted a video profile showing how “Cedars students boost learning with iPad”.
These links all have great and interesting articles on how iPad's are being innovated into the school systems. Even on a personal level, my Mom has an iPad in her classroom (where she works with disabled children) and she tells me almost every time I see her how much easier it is, not only to ease the stress and struggles of a teacher, but also for to enhance the children's learning potential. It doesn't stop there though, the amount of Apps. made for small children that incorporate learning in the forms of science and math through games and activities, will these "naive theories" still be relevant in 15 years?
When Angels cry it rains... The world of education certainly is changing. Kids are growing up faster it seems to me. My my little niece plays this fashion, dress-up game online and will spend hours if allowed. She also likes to play with Barbies on the floor. The difference in her behavior with each activity is fascinating. She will be equally engaged in both activities, but the dolls on the floor require much more physicality (dang near acrobatics). The computer keeps her very still. She has no problems with technology. My niece is ten years old, an expert in Egyptology and wants to be an All-ologist (instead of a mad scientist) when she grows up. Her imagination and her wit is incredible. It would be easy to judge the lack of motion at the computer as a negative, but I can't help but wonder what sort of mental exercise she gets from the experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely different even from when we were in school--which really wasn't that long ago. As a student in middle/high school basically all technology was banned--no laptops, ipads, phones, etc. It was almost like the schools were afraid of the technology and the chaos it would cause to 'the way things are done'.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is also a teacher, and I would say that about 80% of the classes and lectures she goes to (or teacher training as I call it :) ) are focused on integrating technology into education. Her incoming kindergartners, by and large, do not need to be taught how to use a computer when they come into the classroom (a definite change from my own elementary experience).
I think we need to find the balance, as Kelly pointed out, between actual Barbie dolls and one on a computer. :) I think both have their merits and their place in education, the matter just becomes not swinging too far one way or the other.
Cavin, really interesting, especially your insights about how childhood conceptions of "common sense" are really incorrect and need to be modified. However, I wonder if the common sense so promulgated by technology is actually inhibiting childhood imaginations? Is the function in our brains that enables children to make wildly inaccurate attributions about natural phenomena the same function that will encourage their creative thought and prowess in their careers? I wonder if technology--by instantly intervening in a child's creative process and injecting it with common sense--is actually inhibiting their "flow state" that will be important for their higher-order cognition. Is technology responsible for all the sub-par kitty litter exhibits in the world???
ReplyDelete