As I was reading Chapter 1 in the textbook, (Integrating Educational Technology Into Teaching), one point jumped out at me. What is "Educational Technology"? Well I thought educational technology is how we use technology in education. I really did not break it down into two categories like the book. I like the definition on page 6. "Technology must focus on the process of applying tools for educational purposes as well as the tools and materials used. " A quote from Muffoletto (1994) states "Technology...is not a collection of machines and devices, but a way of acting" (p.25). I think this is a very poignant statement. I believe technology is a great tool to use for technology but I also believe the way the teacher uses it is as important.
I will explain this using two examples. My first one is Accelerated Reader. Accelerator Reader is a good program. But I do not think it should be the only way a teacher checks to see if a child reads a book and understands it. I do not think a child should read a book just for the points. The program system is used in various ways. In one school system my children went to they were given prizes for the most books read and accumulation of points. Some kids would read lots of little books to get points, or read some of the book and take the test guessing on some of the answers. Some teachers state children need to accumulate so many points a grading period. I do not think that is fair due to the vast differences in reading abilities of students in each classroom. This is where the teacher can use a tool and design it to fit individuals. The teacher could set a point value for each individual. The teacher could also use the book as a read aloud and then have students take the test for a comprehension activity. Students could also read a book in small groups,(literature circles), discuss and then take the test for one evaluation. Teachers can also use other assessments with the computer assessment.
My second example is Thinklink. We have used this program at our school for two years. Our school takes three Thinklink test a year. These test are indicators on how well they may do on ARMT and SAT-10 test. As teachers we have the capability to create test on individual skills. I believe this is a valuable tool. At first I thought another test, but once I explored it and began to use it I really believe it is a valuable program. It is great for differentiated instruction. I can create a test for the whole class or I can create a test for one individual. I can also isolate the skills and test on one skill if need be.
I believe these are examples of applying a tool for an educational process as well as the materials.
I am going to end this entry with another quote from our text, the author Naisbitt's (1994) Mega Trends: ...whenever new technology is introduced into society, there must be a counterbalancing human response... the more high tech (it is), the more high touch (is needed)" (p.35). It is up to the teacher to utilize the technology in a responsible manner.
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Tina, what a wonderful point you made about AR. I to went through the same problem with my girls when they were younger. I believe that a child should not recieve rewards for acculumating points. They ought to be recognized for reading and comprehending a story. Not public recognition, but individualized recognition from the teacher (like a note or a special word to them). I wish more teachers recognized that AR becomes a more competitive game when given point goals for prizes. The put of the program is to encourage and nuture reading, not make a competition out of reading.
I think we've found a common irritation. At the beginning of the year, my first graders are struggling to read the AR questions. My school has AR competitions and it is so difficult for me to try to give my kids a grade for it. I have one computer in my room that will not freeze up long enough to take the test. My students would benefit in the long run if they had what you suggested, literature circle/comprehension assessments. I keep literature stations going all year. They have portfolios where they keep completed work. Any activity they complete online or on the computer is also printed and put in their portfolio. I prefer this over testing on software just so we can say we're holding them accountable by using technology.
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