There are a number of reasons why technology should be used within the classroom. ICT skills are considered to be essential 21st century skills (Voogt, Knezek, Cox, Knezek, & Brummelhuis, 2011). Not only is it important to acquire ICT skills, but ICT can be used as a support tool for learning experiences (Voogt et al., 2011). The Melbourne Declaration on Education for Young Australians identifies that the constant advancement of ICT is a reason for students to be highly skilled in the use of technology, and students need to develop ICT skills to succeed in the workforce (Ministerial Council for Education, Employment, Training, and Youth Affairs, 2008).

Educators and schools can have contrasting beliefs about the importance of technology, as can be seen in the following two examples. A school in Singapore acknowledges the preference that many students have for using technology and therefore uses it as a tool to engage students (Edutopia, 2012). In contrast a Silicon Valley school ensures that their classrooms are technology-free with the belief that students are so immersed in technology through all facets of their life that this method of education creates a slower-paced environment (CNN, 2012).

REFERENCES

CNN. (2012) Silicon Valley school with no computers. Retrieved via YouTube URL:http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=fUxLKik3zNA

Edutopia (2012). Singapore’s 21st-Century Teaching Strategies (Education Everywhere Series). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pIK7ghGw4

Ministerial Council of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs [MCEETYA]. (2008). Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians. Melbourne: MCEETYA.

Voogt J., Knezek G., Cox M.J., Knezek D. & ten Brummelhuis A. (2011) Under which conditions does ICT have a positive effect on teaching and learning? A call to action. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=http://dx.doi.org  /10.1111/j.1365-2729.2011.00453.x

(image sources from WordPress free library)

One thought on “TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM”

  1. I definitely agree that technology is a valuable asset to schools! Thank you for making a clear connection between the Melbourne Declaration and your response, this demonstrates a more distinct view of why technology is so important in today’s society. The Melbourne Declaration also states that there is a need for schools to increase their effective use of technology, in order to ensure students are ready for the digital age (Ministerial Council of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs [MCEETYA], 2008). It is therefore, our role as pre-service teachers to ensure we have the knowledge and the skills to teach students the skills they need for their future life outside of school in regards technology.

    Thank you for showing two contrasting views on technology. I find it interesting that the Silicon Valley school is technology free because they believe students are faced with enough technology in their daily lives (Edutopia, 2012). Does this then become an assumption that all students are digital natives and have access to a range of technology outside of school? Prenksy (2001), also suggested that today’s students have spent their entire lives immersed in technology. As educators, we know that it is wrong to assume this of all students.

    References
    Edutopia (2012). Singapore’s 21st-Century Teaching Strategies (Education Everywhere Series). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pIK7ghGw4

    Ministerial Council of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs [MCEETYA]. (2008). Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians. Melbourne: MCEETYA.

    Prensky, M. (2001). Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. On the Horizon (MCB University Press).

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment