daveb
insert clever quip about ubiquity here
does technology have a place in education? · Oct 23, 12:41 pm
www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html
The NYT published this article about some people who are educating their kids in a technology-free environment.
I’m a huge fan of the basics – I work with my 5 year old on spelling, reading, math – all with a pencil and paper, but I also appreciate that he’ll spend more time and more focus working through a game on my iPad then he will with a pencil and paper at the kitchen table.
The story has a quote from Alan Eagle who’s daughter attends the school: “The idea that an app on an iPad can better teach my kids to read or do arithmetic, that’s ridiculous.” And I heartily agree – if you expect your iPad or your Television to teach your child to read – you’re not going to be successful. But if you only used pens, and not pencils – because pencils can’t teach your kids to read – that seems short sighted. Technology is a tool, and if you use it to widen the opportunities of your children, and widen their experience then I think it’s useful. If you expect the tool to do the work – you’re a poor craftsperson.
Also, while I appreciate that for some families and kids this makes sense, I think one of the audiences that would be left behind is anyone with a disability that would need adaptive support. Something as simple as a visual impairment would mean that a child may need a supportive device (iPad, laptop) to experience the same learning as the rest of the class. Some kids with cognition issues, or focus issues would also required some additional support.
I think there is definitely something to be said to have “quite days” or reduce our current dependancy on technology, and for some students this may make sense. However, I see a lot of value in technology, and think it’s a good tool in an educational toolbox.
Categories: web / |
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