Lessons Learned

There are many positive uses for technology as a resource for learning.  There are also many negative side effects.  First, I'll focus on the positive.  In the video under "Why Integrate" students of Harrison High School, in Mississippi, used technology  for so many things. Harrison High integrated technology for real science experiments outdoors (as they would if they were actually performing an experiment - not for an assignment).  Even the cheerleaders used technology to improve their performance. The "Tools for Change" PowerPoint emphasizes the difference technology has made in the classroom since so many years ago.  Students and teachers have access to thousands of pieces of information at the click of a button. However, there were some negative points to technology being so easily accessible.

"The New WWW" document,  describes the cons of having "whatever, whenever, wherever".  Is it really a good thing for people, especially children, to get whatever they want when they want it?  This argument can go for both positive and negative. When it comes to monetary issues, the WWW isn't such a great thing for most young children.  They can spend money at any moment they want something, and this does not teach children responsible practices for adult life. Media mobility is discussed in the video "Millennial Generation": having whatever we want through technology, on the go.  The students express their desire for the further expansion of media mobility.  What a great resource and tool for exploration field trips, or homework away from home.  It becomes a problem when media mobility is used to spend money any time, anywhere, or TV is accessible via phone so sitting down to study becomes second priority.

In the article "Teen Disconnect" students take a survey through texting - very useful. One response said that the students were more likely to re-check their information for correctness if they write on computers.  This is true for me.  However, they also said that sometimes their short hand texting creeps into their school writing, simply out of habit.  So, you can see that technology has definite pros, and is accompanied by some cons in the world of education.  Whether personally or externally enforced, keeping technology useful is a matter of discipline.  Teachers who recognize this will find a way to use technology in the classroom and provide resources for their students.