After having read Chapter 1, I have identified three issues that are shaping the role of technology in education. The issues are: the Digital Divide, the Role of distance education, and Information Literacy.
1. The Digital Divide- The chapter clearly states that the digital divide "refers to a discrepancy in access to technology resources among socioeconomic groups." The digital divide does exist however, I have observed areas in which efforts have been made to bridge the digital divide. In our local school system, thanks in part to the Birmingham City Council, students at several elementary schools have been allowed to use laptops in the classroom. The students are actually assigned a laptop that they can take home to complete homework assignments and conduct research. Teachers have received to training to integrate the use of the technology into the curriculum
2. The Role of distance education-Distance education can provide students with a second chance at a college education, reach those disadvantaged by limited time, distance or physical disability. Distance education can also serve to update the knowledge base of workers at their place of employment. I personally am enjoying my current distance education program. The methods of instruction and technologies are excellent. I also am learning from student-to-student interaction and teacher-to-student feedback.
3. Information Literacy- Information literacy is so critically important because we are surrounded by a global society of information in all formats. Students must continue to learn how to search, locate, evaluate, and share information. Information literacy skills are used for academic purposes, such as research papers and group presentations. As future library media specialists we will help teach students these needed information literacy skills.
I agree that the Digital Divide is a big issue in our society today, which is shaping the future of technology. Not only is there a great divide between children who have more access to technology than children who do not, due to the child's socio-economic status, but there is a great divide between veteran teachers and novice teachers, and there experience and knowledge in technology. I have the privilege of working across the hallway from a veteran teacher (39 years experience)who has been a great mentor to me for the past 4 years. However, she fully admits to feeling like the inexperience teacher when it comes to technology. With the help of experience teachers with full knowledge of technology, as well as professional developments and workshops centered around technology training, she is able to keep up with the 21st century.
ReplyDelete