Its about teaching not technology
It’s a simple concept, a no brainer. But it’s a simple premise that Bruce Dixon started his presentation. And he’s completely right. We can use technology, but it’s just the tool, not the subject. It’s like saying your going to teach the pencil. When we loose that focus our students are in danger of failure. We can’t risk that. The 1:1 project is not about teaching our students how to use computers in their classes, but to help students become more adaptive learners, and to help techers reach students more effectively then we could have before. That’s when tools do, allow us to do our jobs more effectively… And computers are just a tool.
Well put, Mr. G! Our ELEVATE 2008 keynote presenter Ted McCain will be presenting our Wednesday keynote presentation entitled, coincidentally enough, “It’s Not About The Technology – It’s Our Instructional Approach That Needs To Change”. Look for that keynote presentation on the VCAlberta.ca website shortly after his Wednesday, August 27 presentation!
I’m not sure I agree, or disagree. How’s that for a response? on the premise that teaching students to learn new technologies to further themselves professionally and personally will create life long learners that can take information, and create something new is an important part of education. Yes we have to teach the competencies so that they are able to find work now. Yes, they need to learn to use technology to prepare for their future. Can it not be a combination of both? Using the tools to enhance comprehension and retention, and using the tools to learn how to use improved ones?
As I write this meandering thought, I had just read David Warlicks post “What is the purpose of Education” http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/?p=1668 And I believe he makes excellent points. We are preparing our students for the future, as well as today. While the computer may be a tool to teach them for today, it is also technology that they will need to know, to survive in the future