Realizing the Promise of Technology

The David article in my estimation, the most interesting of our readings because it looked at technology in the light of reform. I feel strongly that reform was "made for" the type of learning that occurs when students are engaged in research on the Internet. Here, creative thinking, collaborative methods, open-ended learning, and problem solving all can occur within the scope of a single lesson.

Oddly, the reform act in Kentucky called for computers in each classroom, but didn't describe how they were to be used. At the time I taught in Kentucky (3 years ago) few inservices were provided and little support existed for teachers who wanted to utilize the Internet. Furthermore, there were many teachers who never turned their new machines on, which sadly, was to the detriment of their students. So many problems can be addressed, including behaviors, when students are allowed access to knowledge and given power and responsibility over their own learning. I don't feel that this type of learning is necessarily appropriate when learning basic skills, but feel this issue was addressed in this article. "This view does not obviate the need for practicing basic skills in a tightly structured environment. In fact, it enhances the learning of such skills by providing a context that give them meaning." My question to Ms. David, is how does one enhance the learning of basic skills? I would like to see lesson plans, ideas, or practices that show how students learn basic skills while developing other higher-level skills. From what I have seen in the classroom, basic skills are ignored. Perhaps with computers, we can develop these skills while working on more "interesting" activities.

I was impressed by the intervention models offered in the article. When "ongoing assistance, facilitation and professional development" for teachers is readily available, a positive environment of inquiry will be the result. However, policies incorporating technology need to be in place and the goals realistic. I believe, like David, that learning goals must be conceptually compatible with assessments, materials, and curriculum guides, and educational technology programs should be developed with these needs in mind. Making technology accessible to all might be the way that reform is realized in schools across the nation.