Fred Sitkins writes in his article that the adoption of Common
Core State Standards is occurring at just the right time. With the increase of educational technology,
students are able to explore topics at a much deeper level, which correlates
with the Common Core standards. IPad’s
and other tools like iBooks and iTunes U, are being used in the classroom so
that students can interact with text by writing and sharing notes with teachers
and classmates. With these devices
students are able to define unfamiliar words with the click of a button. Fred Sitkins claims that the use of
technology with the Common Core Standards is transforming the way students
learn. With the shift in standards, students are expected to demonstrate their learning through the use of
technology and are able to share it with the global community.
While this change in education may provide deeper learning
for students, it still has its drawbacks.
As students become more and more involved with technology, they become
less appreciative of human interaction and relationships. Humans are less valued because technology has
become so powerful and even controlling. As a future educator, I find these changes
will be difficult to work with. However, these standards will help
students learn to think on their own more, rather than simply remember
information. Although this may seem beneficial, the drawbacks far outweigh the positive side of these changes.
Please expound upon your last sentence about the 'drawbacks'. You have an opinion that needs to be further explained. The lack of human interaction is a good point but it also depends on how and what the best strategy for learning is. TPACK is a great model for finding the best strategy for learning outcomes. It isn't always technology of course. One important thing I have learned is not everyone learns the way I do. Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence's Theory helps explain how we are all different and have various learning styles.
ReplyDeleteI find that too much of anything is never good. Therefore, finding a balance even when it comes to technology and human interactions in the classroom is extremely important, yet can be difficult. Students will always be on different levels in the classroom and in order to be a successful teacher, one must know how their individual students learn best. Some may learn better through group activities, while others struggle. It is very important for students to learn and incorporate technology into their studies; however, only to a certain extent. Human relationships and interactions is just as important, if not more important. This is where the 'drawbacks' come into play. When children become too involved with technology, they lose the social developmental skills that are learned in school interactions. Therefore, this change in education could result in drawbacks in other areas of development, such as communication and social development.
ReplyDelete