August 2002 — Features
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Teacher vs. Computer. Where Educators Stand in the Technology Revolution
I expect students to collaborate and brainstorm in groups, write and reflect on their new constructed knowledge, use graphic organizers to categorize new ideas, and keep writing portfolios and learning journals. While these principles are constant, technology has dramatically improved the quality and efficiency of our class time. Now, students can not only write and reflect on their new knowledge, they can also share ideas and feedback with students in the school or with experts worldwide via online communications. My students also take great pride in their learning journals and portfolios in which they showcase their best work through PowerPoint presentations.Technology by definition is ever changing. While new instruments and capacities are constantly evolving, it is essential to keep emerging technologies true to these successful teaching principles. In addition to the impact in the classroom, instructional technology has also provided an immense impact on teaching with increased collaboration among educators. The Web has given us an opportunity to share with other teachers worldwide in identifying the skills we need to be teaching in our classrooms. It has also assisted us in developing lesson plans that teach our students these new skills. This sharing of cutting-edge technologies and professional practices is imperative to help educators rise to the challenge of infusing instructional technology into our schools.
Reference
Lynch, E. J. 1997. "Constructivism and Distance Education." (Spring). Online: http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~mcisaac/emc703old97/spring97/7/lynch7.htm.
