A next factor to consider when implementing computers as instructional tools is the atmosphere it will create in the classroom. Right now, educators are trying to make schools not only more community-like but also more open to the outside communities they serve. However, these efforts are in danger of being overshadowed by the use of technology, in many of the same ways that television and video games have contributed to the decline of healthy family interaction. Schools must consciously avoid letting computers replace peer relationships and positive adult role models. Kids need to learn to be comfortable with other people to be thinking, compassionate contributors to their society before they are set free in a virtual world.
Computers also complicate the push in education to make students and teachers responsible for learning more and more content. We must remember that the eagerness to use technology could become another form of the eagerness to cover and know massive amounts of material. For instance, the Internet and other recent technologies are vast reserves of easily accessible information. Their potential as classroom tools allows us, without realizing, to assign overwhelming amounts of work to students on top of the traditional workload. For example, in addition to textbook reading and note taking, the teacher may also assign several relevant websites that students are required to visit.
It is important that students learn to find, manipulate, and challenge information that exists outside the format of the Internet. Most importantly, we must be careful not to sacrifice the teaching of organizational, studying, focusing, and interpersonal skills as computers enter the classroom scene.
References
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ENC. ENC.org. 15 Apr. 2005 http://www.enc.org/features/focus/archive/edtech/document.shtm?input=FOC-000694-index,00.shtm.
Developing a School or District Technology Plan." North Central Regional Education
Laboratory. 1998. North Central Regional Education. 15 Apr. 2005 http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te300.htm.
Policy Issues in Using Technology for Engaged Learning." North Central Regional Education
Laboratory. National Central Education Laboratory. 15 Apr. 2005 http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/edtalk/policyis.htm.
Using Technology to Enhance Engaged Learning for at-Risk Students." National Central
Regional Education Laboratory. 1997. National Central Education Laboratory. 15 Apr. 2005 http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/atrisk/at400.htm.
