Nothing Controversial Today…

This time, we’re talking about a different book, called Rethinking Technology in Schools, by Vanessa Elaine Domine. Thankfully, it appears that in this case, the author’s main goal isn’t scaring us into becoming communist, but simply pointing out how the average classroom would be better off if teachers used modern technologies more often. I agree. As a matter of fact, I believe that the truly useful part of the Media Tech and Ed class is demonstrating the potential usefulness of computers and technology to prospective teachers. This week, we had to read chapters 4 and 5. I have to say, I find them quite insightful. They mention things like the importance of paying attention to students’ environments, planning, as well as integration, a concept that pertains to using various technologies in the classroom in such a way, that their use contributes more than the sum of their parts. This seems particularly difficult, as it appears to be almost like an art, rather than a straightforward formula. Thankfully, the author goes further than that in regards to this idea and gives us some tips as well as reminds us of things like the constructivist teaching theory and the importance of being a reflective teacher. This is pretty great. I find that this book gives us reasonable and practical suggestions on how to potentially improve our future classrooms. Instead of trying to raise a point that really doesn’t go far beyond a matter of personal opinion, all under the pretext of raising media awareness, the author of this book actually wrote something that’s immediately useful. What’s even better, is that the author is vague enough in her descriptions of various technologies that the book is likely to remain useful even after the four years that it will take me to finish university. As far as my experience in high school goes, many teachers still limit their technology use. I imagine that it’s mostly due to limited funding, but usually, the most advanced piece of machinery in the classroom is often the clock on the wall.

It could have been worse!

Television sets, DVD players and computers are shared between teachers and thus their usefulness is severely decreased. If the teacher wants the students to use the internet or make a PowerPoint presentation, he or she has to take them to the computer lab, which may or may not already be occupied. I find that this is quite sad, since the internet and computers are the ultimate teacher aids. After all, it doesn’t get much better than having access to any amount of information on any topic at one’s fingertips! I wonder how long will it take for laptops and their future versions to enter high school level classrooms.

The $100 laptop seems like a step in the right direction

Regardless of when that will happen, though, the most important thing is to keep an open mind and to keep oneself up to date with latest technologies in order to utilize them to the benefit of the students. Even today, in universities, where laptops are already somewhat commonplace, many teachers try to fight them, fearing the possible distractions that they bring with them. Perhaps those teachers should give this book a shot.

I really feel like I wasn’t oppositional, confrontational or annoying enough this time around, so here’s a little music video to balance things out. It’s by Laibach, a somewhat mysterious group of artists and political activists. No one can say if the political stance they represent is far right or left, but it’s certainly radical. This ambiguity seems to imply that they are actually mocking or satirizing both the radical left and radical right sides. They also do things like changing popular and completely benign songs into military marches. A lot of it is pretty hard on the ear, but the artistic experience is undeniable.  This particular video is about the menace of technological progress.