EDLT 574- Group 3 Discussion Powerpoint

Technology, Learning, and Equity Issues : 

Natashia Hill Bryan McCuller Kathryn Strascina Technology, Learning, and Equity Issues There are a lot of magazines about technology. Wired is not one of them. Wired is about the most powerful people on the planet today--the Digital Generation. These are the people who not only foresaw how the merger of computers, telecommunications and the media is transforming life at the cusp of the new millennium, they are making it happen. (Rossetto 1993, p. 10)

Technocentric Education : 

Technocentric Education Teachers are still needed in the classroom to facilitate learning. Computers are not yet complex enough to do the job of an educator. How much technology should be employed in the schools? Is more always better? Can technology replace teachers?

Technocentric Education (cont.) : 

Technocentric Education (cont.) Are the costs of technology worth the educational benefits or would other options be more beneficial and less costly? Students will benefit the most when teachers are trained to use technology as a tool in educating students.

When should computer education begin? : 

When should computer education begin? There are differing ideas about when computer education should begin. One theory is the more and earlier students learn and use technology the better off they will be. The opposing side looks at children’s readiness for using technology. Most children will probably be exposed to technology before they make it to the classroom.

When should computer education begin? : 

When should computer education begin? When choosing software for use by young children planners must keep in mind the following: children’s reading comprehension level Children need guidance and shouldn’t be left alone to use software The software’s placement within the curriculum

When should computer education begin? (cont.) : 

When should computer education begin? (cont.) The success of software programs designed for young children “suggest that many children of elementary school age are cognitively ready to use and benefit from technology experiences.” (Picciano, 2011, p.39) I am a 21st century learner Millennium Learners

SPECIAL EDUCATION : 

Technology is not just computer technology limited to desktops/ laptops. Think about the technology we use every day. Take a look at Richard’s day. SPECIAL EDUCATION Interview response with Assistive Technology Specialist from Gadsden Independent School District, Lisa J. Ehlers-McCuller

Special Education –How to help : 

Special Education –How to help “Books are the primary means of communicating and conveying ideas.” (Picciano, 2011, p. 40) Solutions: Technologies for Every Student Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic Bookshare.org Accessible Podcasting Comparison of Screen Readers Adapting classrooms for Universal Design for Learning. For more information on UDL , click on image below . Interview response with Assistive Technology Specialist from Gadsden Independent School District, Lisa J. Ehlers-McCuller

GENDER ISSUES : 

Research comparing gender differences has been inconsistent and inconclusive (Picciano,2011, p.41). A possible explanation of the performance differences that showed boys performing at higher levels than girls is the assumption that technology is a skill that improves with use. If boys tended to use technology more than girls, then over time they would perform at high levels or show greater competency, particularly in upper grades” (Picciano,2011, p.41). “Research comparing gender attitudes has been more consistent” (Picciano,2011, p.41). Research comparing gender attitudes reveals that males tend to favor activities such as taking technology electives course, joining computer clubs, going to summer computer camps, and majoring in computer science in college (Picciano,2011, p.41). GENDER ISSUES

GENDER ISSUES : 

“Gender stereotypes cannot be understood as something apart from the social systems of particular classes” (Picciano, 2011, p. 42). Societal factors include: Parental Influence Subject Stereotyping Peer influence Access to computers GENDER ISSUES

Digital Divide (Local and Global) : 

Additional Sources Website: Teachers without Borders. Podcast: Born Digital Palfrey, John (38 minutes long) Digital Divide (Local and Global) Misconception about the “Born Digital” – not all students are born digital. Divide is growing between socioeconomic groups, age groups, and ethnic groups. Divide is growing between those who are using “newer” technologies as opposed to those using “ standard” computer based technologies. This is NOT just a local problem but a GLOBAL problem. Interview response with Assistive Technology Specialist from Gadsden Independent School District, Lisa J. Ehlers-McCuller

SUMMARY : 

Technology is everywhere. But is public education keeping pace with society? Is technology education necessary if today’s students are supposedly “digital natives”? In reality, if a digital divide exists, do we have a marginalized group that are not considered “digital natives”? How do we build that bridge between the “haves” and “have nots”? This chapter mainly focuses on gender and students with disabilities. Yet one area not emphasized is ageism and this is equally important in postsecondary education. SUMMARY

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES : 

Technocentrism. Papert, S. (1990). “Computer Criticism versus technocentric thinking” Retrieved from: http://www.papert.org/articles/ComputerCriticismVsTechnocentric.html on September 14, 2010. Levy, F., & Murname, R. (2004). Education and the changing job market. Educational Leadership, 62(2), 80-83. Special Education New Mexico’s Accessible Instructional Materials. Retrieved from: http://aim.cast.org/learn/policy/state/new_mexico on Sept. 12, 2010. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (Cont.) : 

Gender Issues in Technology Haynie, W. ( 2003). Gender Issues in Technology Education: A Quasi- Ethnographic Interview Approach, Journal of Technology Education, 15(2). Retrieved from : http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v15n1/pdf/haynie.pdf on September 16, 2010. Other Rossetto, L. (1993, Premiere Issue). Why wired? Wired, p. 10. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (Cont.)

Discussion Questions : 

Discussion Questions According to Picciano (2011), “ For a variety of other challenges including hearing, speech, and multiple disabilities, technology is also being used to provide the primary means of communication” (p. 40). Drawing from your personal experience, in what ways did or can technology improve the life of a person with a disability?  The author identifies several ways technology has been and could be integrated into education. What do you think is the best way to integrate technology into education? Is more technology necessarily better? Is the concept of the classroom becoming obsolete a reality? Given that “schools with higher concentrations of poor or minority students and rural schools often have lower budgets for laboratory equipment and supplies than other schools,” what should our role as educators be in ensuring that students have equitable technological resources (Picciano, 2011, p. 43)?