Technology Debate – Giant Nuisance or Answer to Educational Ills

Over the past few days we have focused a great deal on technology, particularly the possibilities of technology to enhance teaching and learning. As we ponder the potential, it is important to recognize that many educators view all these new gadgets very negatively. In fact, many see them as nothing more than a giant nuisance.

Technology – UGHHH!
In a recent New York Times article, Samuel Freedman shares the following story:

Halfway through the semester in his market research course at Roanoke College last fall, only moments after announcing a policy of zero tolerance for cellphone use in the classroom, Prof. Ali Nazemi heard a telltale ring. Then he spotted a young man named Neil Noland fumbling with his phone, trying to turn it off before being caught.

“Neil, can I see that phone?” Professor Nazemi said, more in a command than a question. The student surrendered it. Professor Nazemi opened his briefcase, produced a hammer and proceeded to smash the offending device. Throughout the classroom, student faces went ashen.

Let’s be clear about another thing. The episode in his classroom had been plotted and scripted ahead of time, with Neil Noland part of the charade all along. The phone was an extra of his mother’s, its service contract long expired.

Freedman finishes with his final point regarding Professor Nazemi.

At age 55, Professor Nazemi stands on the far shore of a new sort of generational divide between teacher and student. This one separates those who want to use technology to grow smarter from those who want to use it to get dumber.

Blurring the Lines Between Work and Play
The critical issue with technology is that it truly blurs the lines between work and play. That same laptop computer that enhances a students ability to write a paper can also be used to text message a friend. As we stated yesterday, giving students a Kindle with a copy of the “Tale of Two Cities” can transform the educational approach used by the teacher regarding the classic Dickens tale. However, when the teachers shifts direction to suggest students head to the Internet to research some critical historical information regarding the action just read, the students can just easily procrastinate by visiting the local sports page or stopping off at a social networking site such as Facebook.

While many students would insist they are simply multitasking, we turn once again to the good phone-smashing professor who offers up: “Multitasking is good, but I want them to do more tasking in my class.

No matter what anyone offers up, technology is not the answer for our educational ills. First and foremost teachers must navigate through the minefield that technology creates.

They must understand that todays students are truly interested in technology and that the gadgets can in fact make learning far more interesting and actually easier. At the same time teachers must understand the fundamental nature of teenagers is to move to recreational activities and away from work whenever the possibility exists. Heck, that descriptor fits many adults I know as well.

Skilled Teachers and Engagement
Ultimately there is no substitute for engagement. Within the classroom, the truly special teachers create very high on task rates. These teachers understand the intellectual and emotional development of the age group they teach and adjust their lessons so as to enhance the curiosity of the students in their respective classroom.

They also have taken the time to get to know each individual student and what makes that child tick. Creating student engagement is where the skill and technical expertise of the teacher comes into play.

Within that classroom, there are now powerful new tools to enhance teaching and learning. But simply possessing technology without educational expertise pretty much guarantees the technology will be a nuisance.

And there in lies the real challenge, developing the skills of classroom teachers. Of course, some would add that a little special effect action like that of our good professor might help students be reminded as to the need to remain on task.

But I would not suggest using a hammer at the K-12 level.