Learning+with+Technology

=//**Learning with Technology**//= //(Much more than software & hardware!)//

Recently, Educational Technology experts have expressed their concern that the true nature of technology is not being emphasized enough in classrooms. The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) recommend addressing the social, ethical, and human issues inherent in technology. Based on my experience with educational technology and observations I've made over the past seven years of teaching Computer Applications, I too see the need for these issues to be addressed with our students. So, in order to make educational technology more meaningful to the students of CMS, I will be offering a variety of project elements and small and large group discussions that help to facilitate an understanding of what technology really is, how and why technology is developed, and how society directs, reacts to, and is sometimes changed by technology. At various points between 6th grade and 8th grade students will be exposed to opportunities to address the following questions:
 * What is it about technology that excites you?** Is it because it's interesting or novel? Saves time? Is it because it's entertaining or makes communication convenient? **Do you ever feel like technology is forced on you?** Sometimes forces such as businesses, jobs, schools, etc. dictate when and how we use technology.

**//• For every advantage of technology, what is the corresponding disadvantage? • How are the advantages and disadvantages of particular new technologies distributed unevenly? • How do particular technologies change the way we think and act? • What are the intellectual, emotional, sensory, social, and content biases of particular technologies? • What goals are promoted and ignored by a particular technology? • How does technology change the ways we view learning, teaching and schooling? • How does the technology promote and inhibit thinking and learning? • How does technology use us without our awareness?//  ** Postman (1995)


 * • LoTi Framework -** Levels of Technology Implementation (LoTi) scale, used to accurately measure authentic classroom technology use. http://www.loticonnection.com/lotilevels.html.

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