Technology has definitely changed the way I learn! In just the first few months of the PCE (PCET), I have learnt so much surrounding technology, to say my learning curve has been steep would be an understatement. I have gone from being a 'semi-technophobe', i.e. only using the technology that I needed to carry out my role as a Coastguard Officer, to someone who is actively searching for new technological experiences. This blog is one of them...
During the 1990's massive investment in technology in education promised a revolution in how we would learn, But as Cuban (2001) stated this investment actually produced "disappointingly meagre changes in classroom practices". I totally understand this observation when I reflect on my lessons in computers, when I was in school in the late 80s. The image of 3-4 pupils crowded around 1 computer for a 35 minute lesson, was less than futile. If you managed to touch the keyboard 5 times in the course of the lesson, you were doing well.
Fortunately things have changed and I believe for the better. My daughter is in primary school and she comes home from school everyday and tells me about the "really cool" things that they did on ipads and computers. Her school is now moving towards an almost 1:1 ratio for tablets and computers which is phenomenal. This seems a long way from my rather disappointing and boring IT lessons.
But then technology figures very highly in my daughters life on a daily basis, She has literally grown up using it, I still remember being amazed at her chubby little fingers finding their way round my iphone when she was only 2 or 3. Then it was a fantastic way of keeping her amused but now looking back and also as a result of my studies, I can see that she learnt so much too. It developed her motor skills by finding her way round the various apps, the apps themselves helped with her speech, reading and letter forming. When I downloaded apps for her, I was amazed at the variety that was available. They were fun, colourful and sometimes noisy so that children were immediately drawn to them, but they also helped them learn in a fun and engaging way.
It is still important to consider how technology is going to be used and to ensure that using it will enhance learning and teaching. Petty (2009) highlighted that " It is what students do that creates learning, not what technology does." (p391)
With this in mind, I find it really encouraging that technology now features so prominently in education, in a digital age that is exactly how it should be. I believe investment in resources and training for teachers has improved considerably, which has allowed teachers to become more engaged with technology and its potential benefits to enhancing learning.
Technology is certainly changing the way I learn and with a chasm of unexplored technology at my fingertips, I hope that my new found love affair with all things 'ICT' will continue for a long time.
Cuban, L. (2001). Oversold and underused: Computers in the classroom.
Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press
Halverson, R, & Smith, A. (2009). How New Technologies Have (and Have Not) Changed Teaching and Learning in Schools, Journal of Computing in Teaching Education, 26, 2, pp. 49-54, Education Source, EBSCOhost, viewed 6 December 2014
Petty, G. (2009). Teaching Today: A Practical Guide. Fourth Edition. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd.
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