Barron Q3

 With all the benefits that Barron listed, why do you think some administrators, teachers, and parents are reluctant to support educational technology? How can this be addressed in the future?

lose control

Kids like computers, kids like fun stuffs. However, let's do a research on this, instead of learning knowledge from a computer(or Internet), how much time the students are playing WITH the computers and looking for fun stuffs from Internet?

Yes, I understand that nobody has control over anything, but this technology thing really provides a huge amount of opportunities for young kids to be exposed to the explosive information when they are not old enough to discipline themselves and understand how to use them properly.

Not like the older generations before, who has time to read a good book at hand, to concentrate on doing a research, to learn more subjects?

This just reminds me some similar issue for young kids. Education experts do not recommend students study abroad by themselves at a young age (proximately under high school). I was 24 when I first came to the U.S.. I thought i was mature enough to face and handle anything in the totally brand-new living/learning environment, but I was lost. I was kind of lost the standard of right and wrong, good and bad, to do and not to do, etc. I also witnessed many pity cases that how those young kids got lost and chose the wrong ways before they were grown up. (living abroad without their parents)

I'm not saying technology totally something negative. It does enable people to live and communicate more conveniently, but for young kids, it does draw many people back from stepping forward.

Subject: Cultural Change 

Author: Ashley Crockett

Date: January 27, 2010 7:40 PM

I think one reason teachers, administrators and parents are hesitant to apply technology into their classrooms is because that wasn't what it was like for them when they were getting their education. It is a big cultural change and cultural changes are always met with resistance. They might be scared that the use of technology in schools might change the fundamental quality of education in a negative way.

I think one of the ways this fear can be addressed is through educating parents, teachers and administrators on the benefits of technology in the classroom. Address their specific fears and help them understand the potential technology has in helping their children learn.

Also, technology should be implemented slowly and with precision. Technology shouldn't be implemented before teachers are trained on how to use it or else it becomes a negative experience for everyone. It would also let those who are hesitant about technology adjust to it slowly.

I agree.

There is a universal principle that it's very hard to change one's first impression. Without enough both inside and outside drive, one will stick to his/hers "traditional" notion as before. Same idea applies here.

Technology changed the education field dramatically during the past decade. However, most of the teachers are not equipped that way.

I'm thinking, maybe 10 years later, when this generation raised "by technology" become the educators, it would be much more easier for them to apply hi-tech in their teachings. But who know how the world would be like 10 years later? maybe the majority of people still having a hard time to catch up the development of technology?