One criticism related to the student experience and integration of computers that was listed was: Giving the students too much control over the learning experience.
1- Do you believe that computers are capable of this?
2- Is it possible to give students too much control over their learning experience?
Yes, I believe so.
Though computers - the hardware - is only a kind of media, it does offers tons of opportunities to the users/students, especially surfing on-line through computers.
Before the students are exposed to such a huge amount of information, they must have the ability of "self-control", "self-regulation" or "self-discipline". You know what you are doing and what you want from the internet, as well as what you should not do and "learn" from it. However, not every student, especially for little kids, have this kind of abilities. And I believe that it's not a good idea or proper way for them to use computer to surf on-line as a learning experience. There are just too many things the teachers can not control, and giving too much choices is not a good idea for small kids.
But, what age is good to handle these choices and control themselves? There is no exact answer as well. Otherwise there won't be "bad guys" in the world. There is no absolute "method" to "control" the thoughts of a human-being. So, the key point is that the "inner-control" plays the most important role EVERYWHERE.
I think more education or teaching on "self-control" and the righteous values may improve or at least make up for this gap. In addition, this is the most efficient and powerful way.
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This is an odd one to deal with in a IDET class. The temptation that I've had is to almost kill the reason for becoming involved in the process of thinking it through. I don't think I'm particularly hopeful, at least on the outword view. But technology feels like something that ought to be very liberating to students who want that freedom. When I posted on this, I was really of two minds: they can have too much control, but they should have access to it anyway. I guess I just don't want the student to be able to say that they want to take this subject or that and then decide what that instruction should entail. But the essence of my favorite class to teach is self-direction. Perhaps it is that subtle distinction between direction and freedom.
ReplyDeleteAnyway. Nice work on the presentation: my resume could really use a review.
And thanks for the information about Shen Yun. I'll pitch it to the folks at school.
I see your point that too much control could mean inappropriate use of the internet. But I also like to think that control over their learning experience could mean something different like: choices in presentations, or choices in topics to become expert in.
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