Education, Technology, and Society 2013

One thing that I have learned from the course so far are the different kinds of technology that are present in the classrooms as well as their implications. I have always looked down on technology since I find it to be a distraction rather than a aid in learning. Our outlook on technology in the classroom is forever changing and we definitely take technologies (both old and new) for granted. My rose would be the encouragement to "think outside the box" and participate in different ways that differ from my math education. My thorn would be that because my computer is broken, it really discourages me from doing my readings online and participating in the types of technologies we're learning about.

Over the past few weeks, I have learned alot about the ways technology and education can transform and provide students with a better method of learning. Something that stood out to me the most within the readings is the role of a teacher in the classroom and the relationship of a teacher and student while using digital technology. I've learned that digital technology does not replace the importance of the teachers but gives teachers the role as facilitators that guide students throughout the process of teaching. I think this is especially a great way to allow students to really master their own skills and explore different ways they can teach themselves with the guidance of teachers. It brings a modern twist to this age which I think is really important considering we are advaning daily in many aspects.

Rose- Being able to utilize tech as a way to explore learning

Thorn-would like to explore how tech changes learning in class-more experiential learning

Technology is a great tool to promote education and learning but not pedagogy in the pure sense of the word. Technological ability and mastery of the digital machine is very appropriate for our global landscape and we need to familiarize our selves with it. Technology though could never replaced the teacher ............

The first three weeks of this course have been really interesting. I have started thinking about the relationship between people and technology, which is not something I have ever thought about before. Learning about technology through the scope of education has given me a new perspective on the uses of technology and my relationship to tech. I have liked exploring this side of technology and feel like I am beginning to understand how much potential technology has to help teachers.  

As far as the content goes I am not really struggling, however the unstructured setup of the course and field placement are leaving me a little confused. 

One of the fascinating parts of this course is the in-depth look at digital technology as a learning tool/environment.  Something I felt sure about before entering the course was a positive belief in self directed learning, which keyholes easily with digital technology.   However, I think after reading Selwyn, and researching some of the philosophies and politics of both I have to question my own understanding.  Then more questions arise about just what education is designed to do, and how that changes how it is delivered.  Another part of my world turned upside down... I was contentedly ignorant about twitter, and tumblr, but since being in class have been slowly moving into the light. I realized I am a little bit shy, and did not want to be exposed. Yet, it is not as scary as I imagined, it's actually liberating.  That would count as my rose, and the thorn is the frustratingly slow progress I make with all the new interfaces.

One thing that I have learned so far in the class is that in the past, people have been just as torn over the positives and negatives of technology, such as the radio and television, as we are now in this day in age over computers, smartphones, etc. I have learned above all to question in more detail the intense excitement over the possibilites of technology. 

I felt like this unit was a good introduction and laid down the foundation for the class: defining the terms and posing the big questions to contemplate over the course of the semester. It has encouraged me personally to engage with and explore technology that I have been reluctant to experiment with in the past, including prezi and instagram, and I am excited to continue to learn. We have also established initial contact with our pen pals in Ghana and while we are uncertain about the development of that relationship at this point, I am excited about the possibilities. The prospect of an undeveloped structure to this part of the course is exciting but at the same time, a bit anxiety provoking, and so I hope we can help future participants by laying down some sort of structure for them.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/minecraft-an-obsession-and-an-educational-tool/?smid=fb-share&_r=1&

Dear Students:

Here are MC's initial ideas. We welcome your thoughts and topics and activities you'd be interested in doing as part of the exchange (see below). Feel free to comment below or bring ideas to class Tuesday.

Expectation of students: IEP and BMC/HC

To engage in cross cultural communication via facebook/skype/email/etc on a weekly basis to explore the role of online exchange in supporting English Language Learning.

-        Students should be expected to set aside 1.5 hours on a weekly basis to connect and discuss

-        Take into consideration that there are language barriers, cultural differences and religious differences among the students in Malaysia and in BMC/HC. Please be sensitive to the questions you ask, how you dress (if on skype), and the pace/vocabulary you use. Pairs will most likely be male-male and female-female because of cultural/religious reasons.

 Start Date of September intake: September 17th

7 weeks of class

1 week break

3 weeks of class

Week One: Defining Terms (Past/Present/Future)

Objectives: introductions, defining terms (cultural background), understanding different cultures and understandings of technology and their functions

Introduction Interview:

 Content Interview

How do you define technology?

What forms of technology are used by people in your family, hometown and country?