Chapter 7 What May Be Lost and What May Be Gained

This chapter discusses the benefits and possible detriments that could be caused by the use of technology. The author refers to it as the gains and losses.

The chapter begins with the visions of Thomas Jefferson and Horace Mann who believed that education could be used to improve citizenship and assimilate society into a common culture.

Modern theorist point out what could be gained or lost by the use of technology

Lost

•Cultural zones could be established that isolates groups based on their personal beliefs

•Reduction in diversity

•Isolation of individuals as they become attached to their devices rather than interaction with humans

•Disparity among socioeconomic groups who have access to technology and those who do not

Gains

•Learning will become more engaging due to commercialization

•Education can be more customized to meet individual learners’ needs and abilities

•Technology makes access to knowledge more assessable

•Competition is diminished as technology equalizes the knowledge base

Chapter 8 Reflection

April Johnson

Chapter 8 Reflection

            In reading this chapter, I felt that it related to me personally.  I learn by doing hands on work.  In high school it was mostly reading and writing papers. History and science were my most challenging subjects.  I discovered that when I took my Allied Health, mathematics, and computer courses, I responded well because these subjects involved me using my hands to figure and learn different techniques.  Chapter 8 discusses how to incorporate technology into the school system.  Our schools are behind because the children now are more technology oriented.  They watch TV, play video games, chat, listen to music, and much more.  The use of hands on learning is big in time now because it is used everywhere but in schools.

            The big issue with people today is that they are worrying about changing the way schooling is done period.  That is impossible as well as unnecessary stress to those who come up with different curriculum. I agree that the school should be reshaped rather that redefined. Technology is an enhancer to education. When I was in high school, I wished all of my classes, especially history and technology, could have incorporated my interests like allied health did. The chapter suggested that standardized tests be reshaped into tests that relate to the child’s interest. I admit that it took me so long to figure out a major because I was not guided in high school to explore my interest. Only the fundamentals were taught there in advanced classes.

            I believe that Preschool up until middle school should focus on the fundamentals, with the incorporation of technology of course. The certificate idea in the book really made sense to me because it is focusing on the child’s interest and what they want to be in life.  This method can guide every high school student in the way that they want to go. There are vocational schools at different high schools, but I truly would like to see the vocational school expand to many more areas, so students will not feel confined to learn things that do not interest them. I’m not saying that the core courses are not important.  True there must be a time where the original classroom setting must take place.  However, I do not believe that students should be confined to just this one method throughout their high school years.  If this continues to take place, then our children are being set up for failure in college.  Just as it took me five years to figure out what I enjoy doing, it may take others longer.

            In conclusion,  I favor the performance based assessment. Instead of wasting time doing work that does not interest them, students can take that time a perfect it by doing work that does interest them with the use of technology.

Chapter 6 - The Three Eras of Education

Our education system has moved through two eras: the apprentiship era to the universal - schooling era. There were also changes on who was responsible for education, what was the purpose and content of education, how students were to be taught, and what did we expect students to learn. Location of where learning occured also changed, the culture changed, and the relationships between students and teachers changed.All education aspects are constantly changing as we move into the lifelong learning era.
In the apprenticeship era, parents were the deciding factor on what their children would learn. Boys would follow in their fathers footsteps and girls would become housewifes and learn farming duties. People of this era were self-taught. Horace Mann and his fellow colleagues had the revolutionary idea to take the responsibility of education away from parents. They argued that children should be required to attend school to learn American values and the English when their were immigrant children involved. In the present-day era, a shift back to the parents from school is happening. We see more home schooling, distance education, and learning centers. More parents are taking control of the education of their children by using computer software and educational videos. They teach their children what they think is important.
Before the Industrial Revolution, parents had expectations for their children to follow in their footsteps. These expecations supported reproduction of class differences. The main goal was to raise choldren with same skills their parents had.
After the Industrial Revolution, Horace Mann's main focus was on creating a common school system that would be the central path for children to take advantage of social mobility. His basic argument was equity through education because he flet that if children were given a free education, they would receice the American values and have the basic skills needed to do any work they chose. The teaching of apprenticeship involves observing, modeling, and practice and coaching. It is very resource intensive. The apprenticeship has started with some technological help, computer tutors. I believe these computer tutors do help students. They fully help the students in solving complex problems by pointing out thier mistakes. Apprenticeship is further discussed as assessments and as venues change especially with computers and the web.

Chapter 5- The Seeds of a New System of Education 2/3/13 2:02 PM

There is a great evolution in the methods of how we learn, so we are no longer bound to the fact that education is limited and not available.  In Chapter 5 it is discussed that schooling is no longer limited, nor confined to a particular venue.  The traditional classroom gives the just-In case method of knowledge; it is outside the classroom we may experience the just-in time method of education.  The seeds of new education systems are now blooming with a fervent tenacity, because of the demand for them.  Homeschooling, workplace learning, distance education, and etc., are all made possible through technology.  Many situations and circumstances cause society of seek for alternatives to help their children reach a plateau in education.  There are driving factors that will cause parents to desire to homeschool their children.  One pressing factor I see that may become the dominant cause for homeschooling, violence on the school grounds.  How a person learns and become educated depends on what interest them.
     During my ignorant moments of not knowing the evolution of homeschooling, I had somewhat a negative view of homeschooling.  As I read how it has evolved over the years, incorporating outside help for children, my perception was enlightened.  There is always room for improvement in every area of education.
     Learning in the workplace is on a continuum slope of change; therefore educating oneself of that change can increase your job security. Many companies are now using different types of technology to assist their workers and in training them to become more efficient in their job scope.
     Distance Education is also a very popular seed of education, it brings education to the individual, instead of them leaving where they are.  It’s been around for years, before evolution of this type, correspondence classes were available.  Communication was through mail but because of the growth in technology, we are able to do it online.  This is a very convenient way of learning for those with time management concerns.
    When I was an employee at Wal-Mart, I remember having to take CBL test, to keep me afresh on how the store was operating at the capacity it was.  Computer based learning software is being used in many workplaces in the effort to build more effective learning environments.  Doing your assigned job effectively helps the company maintain its place in the work force.  In conclusion of Chapter 5, with technology being embedded in new systems of education, there is bound to be an increase in interest driven society.  Obtaining a fulfilled education is no longer a matter of, should I further my education, but it will soon come to, I cannot afford not to continue learning.  I cannot afford to remain ignorant of the upcoming subjects in life.  “Knowledge is power.”
Amelia Mosley