Chpt 9 Rethinking Technology

This chapter talks about the how the advanced technology will impact learning (positive or negative.)  It gives examples of positive and negative impacts of students learning from technology, currently assuming there is a lack of adult guidance.  Technology can include video/computer games, social networking sites, Internet use, etc.  The chapter asserts that for the first time in history, children know more than their parents on an important aspect of culture.  Adults, including parents and teachers may not understand and consequently cannot provide the proper assistance to young technology users.  Since this area isn't under our direct control, we need to be aware of what students are learning from this aspect of their lives.  After studying the impacts, like problem solving skills, communications skills, violence (and other negative effects from uncensored media) educators need to understand how to utilize this technology in a way to benefit students.  Right now students experience a gap between their reality and school experience.  They are uninterested if they can't find a connection or learn useful lessons that apply to their lives.  In and out of the classroom life should be consistent since the classroom should be preparing students for life after their school years.  It is inevitable that thier lives will be closely intertwined with technology and home and in their future careers.  Right now there are seperate pieces, like interactive learning games, distance learning, learning through socail networking, and many more ideas some teachers have to integrate technology sparatically into a child's education.  However, as educators, we need to be leaders and pull all the pieces together to be consistantly education through updated, relavant technology.  It will give our students an advantage in learning traditional education concepts (math, language, science, etc.) as well as build their experitse in technology tools that will give them an advantage in a global, technology literate job market.