Technology
Contents |
Technology
[tek-nol-uh-jee]
- According to Dictionary.com, Technology is "the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment" [1]. Technology can be anything from a pencil to a computer program.
- Technology can be categorized in many ways. It can be an apparatus for replicating a task, the logics of techne (making or doing) or of a relatively systematic production, or tools that assist human with mechanical making. Technology, in all its forms, is a major part of modern life.
- As applied to writing, technology can be both dehumanizing and helpful. It is accessible, replicable, and teachable, and can produce shifts in literacy (real time publishing, for example).
Various forms of Technology
Technology is not limited to electronic forms. Almost anything, in theory, can be considered a technology. According to Baron's, From Pencils to Pixels, the pencil was at one point considered a technology. In fact, unbeknownst to many, famous American writer Henry David Thoreau's family ran a pencil company and was a pioneer in the pencil industry in early America.
Categories of Technology
Medical Technology
The field of medicine continues to advance leaps and bounds. Every day, there are new advances being made in medical technology as medical research and machinery continue to unlock more of the secrets of the human body. Many surgical procedures are based on innovative technology, and many individuals are dependent upon technology to stay alive (such as oxygen machines) or to function outside of the hospital (i.e. kidney dialysis). It is common in today's world to see people in their home and out in public utilizing medical technology.
Information Technology
as defined by the Information Technology [http:/www.itaa.org Association of America (ITAA)], is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware."[1] IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.
Assistive Technology
is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities. It includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them.
Instructional Technology
In education, instructional technology is "the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning," according to the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Definitions and Terminology Committee. Instructional technology is often referred to as a part of educational technology. While instructional technology covers the processes and systems of learning and instruction, educational technology includes other systems used in the process of developing human capability.
Understanding of Technology
Effects on Modern English
People argue that technology is bringing us more and more away from "correctness." Text messaging and other forms of short-hand communication and writing are enabling people to communicate quickly rather than "correctly." With the invention of quickfire ways of communication such as Twitter and Facebook, this move from "correctness" is only further demonstrated.
Looking at it from a different stand point, with the use of Facebook and Twitter the english language is expanding into a short form of speech. In today's world, everyone struggles with having enough time in the day to accomplish everything and being able to communicate with less words makes keeping in touch with friends and family that much easier.
Debate
Technology is both good and bad. Humanity's evils, accomplishments, and very existence are predicated on the development, use, and understanding of technology.
Amidst the controversy of writing and communicative technology is the debate of whether or not the innovations in communication for the 21st century are dehumanizing the pathos-driven language of the "rhetoric of yesterday,", or if they are simply a contemporary art form. Techno- in technology is from the Greek root techne which means art. On one side of the argument, the progression of technology in its current form is not limited to the actual innovations themselves, but how they are utilized to create the art, or techne, of the modern time. In other words, it is their practical use that is the technology, not the object itself. This idea is rebuked by many-- they believe recent innovations involving social media (i.e. Twitter, text messaging, instant messaging, etc.) eliminate personality established through in-person dialogue while also putting a stranglehold on the versatility of the English language.
In the medical field the debate is not of whether the technology is "destroying" anything, but whether or not they are necessary and efficient. New technology costs in medicine are astronomically high and the cost-benefit ratio is skewed to a disadvantage to the hospital or practice that is purchasing the technology. Many criticize saying that the money they waste on technology could be better spent elsewhere. Although agreed upon, the defense of this criticism is that in order for the hospital to compete for prestigious doctors and referrals, they must stay up-to-date on the arms race of medical technology.
Technology Integration in Education
With today's concentration on advancements in technology, it is critical for students to learn not only how to comprehend all sorts of technology, but also how to use it themselves. It is essential for all disciplines (Physical Education, English, Science, etc.) to integrate some sort of technology into their classrooms.
- Physical Education
- With society's increasing epidemic of obesity rates, is is absolutely necessary for students to realize the importance of lifelong physical activity. In order to have more students participate and recognize the benefits of activity, teachers are taking an alternative perspective by incorporating technological aspects into the curriculum. It has been discovered that students are incredibly receptive towards cardio machines that incorporate video gaming as well as the inclusion of activities such as Dance Dance Revolution. See [2]for an article relating obesity and DDR in classrooms.
- Portable devices are now being used in many physical education classrooms as a way to optimize learning and provide the students with a digital visualization of the skills they are performing[3]. Many coaches use not only video cameras to record their team in the selected sport, but PDAs during practice to download useful information to analyze the following practice. Technology is an important aspect in the classroom, and we are currently seeing it used in numerous ways for coaches and players to be able to improve their sport and become even more successful.
- Additionally, the concentration on fitness and not on team sports will hopefully allow students to participate without the typical competitive "dodgeball-esque" experience. In today's world it is entirely possible to have students manage fitness with pedometers and heart rate monitors. Teachers are now able to assess based on improvements and developments because of the data that is captured, and not on the physical ability of students. The use of technology is helping teachers and students to capture the essence of what physical education is about, which is conveying the message that physical education is important and that everyone should participate in lifelong physical activity.
- The Laptop Program
- As society gets more and more technologically advanced, school systems have found a way to not only keep the students up to pace, but allow for teachers to integrate technology into the classroom. The use of a "laptop program" in the classroom has been present in America for at least ten years. This program was originally a case study, to see if introducing laptops into a classroom of students would, in fact, increase student learning in the classroom.
- One teacher, by the name of Deryk Tyler, wrote about how introducing laptops affected his students. He found that his students were more motivated, which in turn had many benefits. He found that motivated students are engaged, see a connection between school and the rest of their lives, have control over their learning, are challenged with a series of achievable goals, earn their success, and are able to share their learning with others.
- If you would like to read the article on the laptop program, click here. If this does not work, search laptop program in the Halle Library articles.
- Walled Lake Consolidated Schools launched their laptop program known as AAL (Anytime Anywhere Learning) Laptop Program in 1999. The initiative not only was successful, but continues to be prosperous even today. The initiative included the idea that with laptops, one on one learning could take place easier and in a more efficient manner. "Three years of university research found that children who have participated in the AAL experience have experienced a notable increase in self-esteem, motivation, writing and editing skills, team building skills, problem solving abilities, and Internet research capabilities. The AAL Program received an Educational Excellence Award from Michigan Association of School Boards in May, 2002 for being an outstanding educational program that makes a difference in student learning. Additionally, the One to One Institute chose Walled Lake Consolidated Schools to showcase best practices because of our excellent work in integrating technology into the curriculum using a constructivist teaching approach." ("About AAL")
- According to Superintendent [of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools] Dr. William Hamilton, “Today, in our global economy, the use of technology is essential. It connects us to the world. We must be proactive in creating an environment where we can be assured that all students become proficient and interactive users of technology.” ("About AAL")
- In the section on planning for the future, Walled Lake Consolidated District talks about the benefits of the laptop program and the support they have gained from the use of this program. Parents have been supporting this program since it's very beginnings in 1999. They "...have found the merging of education and laptops to be enriching, rewarding, and meaningful for students, parents, and teachers. The everyday use of laptops in and out of the classroom makes instruction more personal for students, and helps to prepare them for a highly-technical, global society. The world is changing faster than ever before. Having access to a laptop at school helps to bridge the gap between the way students live at home and the way they learn at school. Teachers are able to teach students to use technology in ways that help them learn, allow them to collaborate with others, and are safe." Besides these benefits of learning technology at an early age (6th grade), the article goes on to talk about how this program can also benefit the student in the job market. The job market today is looking for the students who know technology, and know it well. They must be able to apply their knowledge in order to make not only themselves look good to the company, but also for the company to look good to other companies, customers, and the like. "Today’s students need to be inspired to become creative problem solvers and intellectual risk takers so that they are prepared for their futures. Having full time access to a personal laptop as a learning tool gives students a solid foundation for informational literacy, which can be applied to any learning situation in the future.
- To give students informational literacy is to give students a hands on look at technology and style. With this program, the students learn how to properly structure an assignment to turn in, and make it look professional. The students learn how to use technology to their advantage; by learning this technology and the programs that come with the laptop, students become ahead of other students that may not understand how to use technology. To be technologically skilled is almost a requirement today, therefore getting a hands on experience and one-on-one instruction is invaluable.
- To read the article from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools and to find out about the university research, click here
Source Citation
Section: Technology Integration in Education, The Laptop Program
Tyler, Deryk. "Motivating students for success." Learning & Leading with Technology 36.1 (2008): 36+. General OneFile. Web. 20 Feb. 2010. <http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=IPS&docId=A194279670&source=gale&srcprod=ITOF&userGroupName=lom_emichu&version=1.0>
"About AAL". Walled Lake Consolidated School District. 2010. February 23, 2010 <http://www.wlcsd.org/programs.cfm?subpage=359530>.
