I Love Theory!
Okay, not so much, but I love discovering there are theories out there that back me up. For example, in Mayer's section on Technology-based vs. Learner-based Applications, he mentions that technology is simply an aid to human learning. That's precisely what I was getting at in the earlier posted blog. Technology is a great means as something to help us enhance our learning experiences, but not to completely take over our minds as a replacement for our thinking processes. In the readings someone had mentioned that at this point in time technology should be so advanced that it does our thinking for us and then questioned 'what went wrong?' because we still have control over the way we think and computers still can't think for us. Don't get me wrong. I love my computer, the internet and e-mailing my friends all over the world, but I'm glad that I can still formulate thoughts on my own and that a computer isn't doing all of the thinking/ calculating/ creating in my life. Wouldn't it be scary if people really did rely on computers to help them develop cognitively? I'm really glad that we still have class in classrooms and that human interaction is still an integral part of the cognitive development process (as opposed to having class via satellite tv from any location on earth). As I mentioned previously in my other blog, I do worry that the youth of today are hindered from developing socially, cognitively, emotionally do to all of the technology that's out there. There are children who sometimes never leave their house because they feel they're engaging in interaction by instant messaging their friend all day on the computer. That's so sad. As Mayer pointed out in the readings, it's important to utilize the technology as a supplement to our learning process and not a crutch.
posted by suekaelin @ 10:29 AM
3 Comments:
I would be incredibly disappointed if there ever comes a time when we are taught solely through technological means. I cannot imagine the lack of social skills people would have if the only means of learning we had was face to face with a computer. We have enough issue today with people who only know how to communicate through e-mail or instant messaging...they've forgotten how to pick up the telephone or have an interactive conversation or debate with another human being. It's great to think we can use technology as an assistant, but not as the primary educator.
I think you bring up some good points about the importance of using technology as a supplement to our learning process, not as a replacement. What I wonder is whether access to technology and the internet in and of itself is enough to enhance education and thought? What I mean is, can people supplement their learning on their own through technology or do they need it to be integrated into educational experiences?
Personally, for me, I think technology, specifically the internet, has been absent as a necessity in a lot of my educational experiences, yet I still feel like I was able to use it as a supplemental tool on my own.
"As Mayer pointed out in the readings, it's important to utilize the technology as a supplement to our learning process and not a crutch."
--Agreed.
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