In ET 690, we did a deep-dive, socratic style, into several texts about the nature of technology as well as its various benefits, challenges, contexts, and disadvantages.
In my essay on The End of Education by Neil Postman, I spent considerable time outlining the definition of technology that he advances, one that suggests all technology is a trade-off. I used this definition to suggest a framework we evaluate technology by--one that considers both the potential benefits and potential harms of the technology in question. Next, I considered how this framework might apply to my educational situation. I applied that framework to the ideas of both drones and Virtual Reality and, while I suggested that there may be some educational value in these technologies, I also suggested that their use is rarely justified according to the TPACK model and that often the trade-off when using these technologies is that of curricular development and knowledge. I also considered that these technologies are not freely available and that those who have the most access to these technologies are also the ones determining their use--which significantly limits their social, economical, racial, and ethnic diversity. |
Postman Paper by Jessica on Scribd |
Equity Forum by Jessica on Scribd |
I spent much of my time while I was completing my Master's considering the value and power and digital technologies, access and use. I also spent much of that time applying what I was learning to my own school and school setting.
One of my concerns throughout the entire program was the inequities that are currently present in digital access, awareness, and use in my school, in our country and in the world. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology and digital platforms, those with less access and experience will be disenfranchised and left behind. I wrote about these concerns in my Postman Paper (above), but I also addressed them in discussion forums (such as this one from ET 680) and a voice thread presentation I did with a classmate in ET 605, at the beginning of coursework. |
In ET 631, with Dr. Keane, we had to experience and critique a webinar according to both the R2D2 and Community of Inquiry frameworks. The webinar I critiqued was about changing grading practices and increasing mastery through narrative feedback.
I looked at the both the webinar as a product for and of learning, and the content of the webinar. In my analysis I found that there was very little engagement with the Community of Inquiry ideas and only slightly more adherence to the R2D2 model. I also found that there was insufficient explanation and support for teachers to actually adopt this practice in their schools. This webinar was better as an introduction to the reasons why you might want to consider changing practices rather than an actionable plan for how to change grading practices. Additionally, in ET 605, I completed a Common Sense Media Review of Newsela where I indicated that although this is a great supplemental resource, it not is not a sufficient alternative to teaching. Finally, while I was in Seminar with Dr. Marcovitz, we read Neil Postman's The End of Education. As I read that text, my school was learning of the new technology that we would be receiving, including drones. Part of my analysis of Postman's critical framework for considering technology in education including applying that framework my own educational situation. One of the conclusions I reached what I don't think Postman's critical framework goes far enough, which is fair as I don't think he could have anticipated all the technologies we see today. I concluded, "There is one additional piece that I think should be considered, but which is not currently in Postman’s framework (or my own), and that is the educational value of such a technology as well as its potential for misuse. Drones and virtual reality technology both have some educational applications and could potentially provide educational value. However, when I think of the TPACK model, I’m not certain that their advantages are compelling enough or exclusive enough to outweigh their potential for misuse or disadvantage." Newsela Teacher Review _ Common Sense Education by Jessica on Scribd |
Stith Synchronous Critique - Google Docs by Jessica on Scribd |