Past and Present Educational Resources

After reading both articles, I am not only aware of educational technology advantages but also the drawbacks of its many uses. While technology provides convenience, it also creates limited means to an end. As a child, we had dictionaries and several set of encyclopedias in our home library that were always in use. By the time I become a young adult, I vaguely recall anyone using any of these sources due to the home computer that also occupied space in our library. No one referenced the many books shelved along the walls. The desktop computer that required two large floppy disks to boot-up was the main source for research purposes. It was not long before the desktop computer was replaced with a more lean design. The new and improved laptop is now easily found in most American homes. Due to the constant evolution of technology, laptop computers may one day be replaced by another new and improved medium. Then the cycle repeats itself and starts over.

Due to the position of the Postman article as well as the recollection of my personal experience of continuous technological based methods, I will commit to promote diverse technologies and methods. I must admit that laptop computers along with high speed wireless internet capabilities are grand luxuries. However, other technologies and methods should not be disregarded. I now realize the importance for students to build upon the technology base. As students progress from kindergarten to 12th grade, they should be encouraged to diversify technology methods instead of replace one method for another one.

As little children we are taught, through hands-on learning activities, and trial and error until they have successfully completed the necessary requirement to move on. As they progress and have learned to read and comprehend on their own they are encouraged to read books to gain knowledge and make it applicable to life skills. As the students advance much further this is where the ideas in Reigeluth and Joseph’s article would appear more valuable. At this level the student should be less dependent on teacher guided instructions. According to the article the teacher has to be more of a “guide on the side” rather than a “sage on the stage.”

It is my belief that we blend the two methods using teacher-student collaborative learning techniques and technological based instructions. This will alleviate the skeptic views of posed by Postman but also encourage ideas expressed in Reigeluth and Joseph’s article. Instead of solely relying on technological methods, I recommend that we not lose sight of our early childhood educational lessons. As Robert Fulghum suggests everything a student needs to know is learned as early as kindergarten. Do to the change of time and technology evolution, newer methods should be incorporated. To arrive at an end, the use of several roads is valuable. Today’s households should dust off old dictionaries and encyclopedias and revert to the use of these resources. Collaborative techniques, reading skills and technology avenues should all be employed to facilitate learning.