Historically,
the development of technology always will change the way of people’s life, and
bring some problems. In that case, different opinion and attitude towards
technology will occur. Some people have a positive attitude towards the
relationship between education and technology; others might have a negative
attitude, such as Reigeluth and Joseph, and Postman.
The immature
status of technology when it just appeared often lead the people at that period
develop a negative attitude to technology, such as the example Postman gives
about his attitude on cruise control and electric windows. But in my opinion,
sometimes, some people reject the new technology just because they don’t want
to change. Because they deny those technologies first, so they always only see
the defect, instead of some advantages. And it is worthwhile to note that the
big improvement comes from a lot of small improvement. Some details might be
inessential when they separate with each other. But once they are put together,
they might have a significant contribution to the unitary development.
I quite agree
with the view of Reigeluth and Joseph. Firstly,
the viewpoint of “our current paradigm of education is not designed for
learning; it is designed for sorting” (Reigeluth，1992)
highly summarize the present educational situation of China, even some other
countries. In China, almost all of children are educated by same course from
elementary school to high school, and then participate in the college entrance
examination. This only one time’s exam grade almost decides their future.
Student who has a high score can go to a good university and get a good major,
and then has a good job in the future. But the student who has a low score is
quite opposite. In that way, we spend nearly 10 years to learn some knowledge
that might not be used, even forgot, in University or future, but we are sorted
by those knowledge. In my view, this is kind of wasting of resources, even
life, since we can use those times to master much other knowledge that will be
helpful to our future career and life. Therefore, I think the perspective of Reigeluth
and Joseph towards “principles for a learning-focused paradigm of
education” is really good for education’s transformation. And I also feel that
this will be the development trend of education system in the future. Hence,
the utilizing of new technology among education cannot be halted. As the author
saying, “It is not an exaggeration to say that technology is indispensable for
allowing us to transform teaching and learning to better meets our children's
needs in the information age.”
In addition,
I also agree with the viewpoint of Reigeluth and Joseph that regarding the
technology as the only power to push the development of education is a mistake.
I accept that technology is a double edged sword which not only improve the
quality and system of education, but also bring some problems. For example,
some teachers are over dependent on some technological tools.
Teachers are always the main guide during the whole teaching process. Some
modern technological tools, such as wonderful PPT and interesting video, will
be helpful to attract students. However, this will also reduce the teaching
charm of teachers themselves. As a guide, teacher might be regarded as a role
model by student. In that case, their status will influence students directly.
If a teacher lose his or her unique charm, and he or she can only use the
technological tools which might be same with other teacher’s, how can he or she
help student create their own personal charm? Therefore, it is also important
to teachers improving themselves.
All in all, I
think we should dialectically understand the relationship between education and
technology, and then seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. In that way, the
development of education can not only keep up with the pace of the times, but
also meet our needs.
References:
Reigeluth,
C.M. & Joseph, R. (2002). Beyond technology integration: The case for
technology transformation. Educational Technology, 42(4), 9-13.
Postman, N.
(1993). Of Luddites, Learning, and Life. Technos Quarterly, 2(4).
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