Question: How do websites and apps help establish a concrete curriculum for students and educators?
Growing up in a small private school, I rarely ventured out from the ideas that were established through my peers and instructors. I was always accustomed to what I was taught and never tried to find a more innovative way to learn. I was always taught to learn in the "old school" fashion even though we we a college prepatory school. In fact, I was a complete stranger to technology up until my freshman year of college where I acquired my first laptop. My only interaction with the world wide web was through a 50 minute computer class twice a week, and even then we were only required to use a program that measured our typing speed (Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 8, to be exact). We rarely ever had to use computers outside of school, which led to my complete denial and confusion to the world of technology.
For my 20% project I want to learn more about how schools implement applications and websites to their teaching methods and if they are really beneficial to the students. As someone who had absolutely no idea about the advances happening during my educational career, I am interested to find what types of applications and websites are offered to these students and how they work. My main concern with technology now is if this type of methods in schools is more of a burden than a benefit. Maybe this is my "old school" self talking, but even though I did not grow up with this technology, I can't help but think that these students will just take the "easy" road by not learning the traditional way. Technology has advanced to make our lives easier, but does that mean the future generation won't learn as efficiently as us?
I plan on finding these answers through various websites and articles on the Internet. I believe I will have no problem finding material to support my question. I believe that this topic will interest educators that use more traditional methods and those that are more tech savvy. And here's why. As generations age, so do the traditional methods of teaching. Technology is always advancing and we as the current generation must keep up. Traditional educators can continue to teach their curriculum, but they must know that perhaps there is an easier way to present the material or have the students do a project in a more exciting manner. Chalk boards are like ancient ruins to some kids nowadays, while SmartBoards are like flying cars to some educators. There will always be some kind of barrier between the old and the new, but everyday is a step closer to bridging that gap.
Growing up in a small private school, I rarely ventured out from the ideas that were established through my peers and instructors. I was always accustomed to what I was taught and never tried to find a more innovative way to learn. I was always taught to learn in the "old school" fashion even though we we a college prepatory school. In fact, I was a complete stranger to technology up until my freshman year of college where I acquired my first laptop. My only interaction with the world wide web was through a 50 minute computer class twice a week, and even then we were only required to use a program that measured our typing speed (Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 8, to be exact). We rarely ever had to use computers outside of school, which led to my complete denial and confusion to the world of technology.
For my 20% project I want to learn more about how schools implement applications and websites to their teaching methods and if they are really beneficial to the students. As someone who had absolutely no idea about the advances happening during my educational career, I am interested to find what types of applications and websites are offered to these students and how they work. My main concern with technology now is if this type of methods in schools is more of a burden than a benefit. Maybe this is my "old school" self talking, but even though I did not grow up with this technology, I can't help but think that these students will just take the "easy" road by not learning the traditional way. Technology has advanced to make our lives easier, but does that mean the future generation won't learn as efficiently as us?
I plan on finding these answers through various websites and articles on the Internet. I believe I will have no problem finding material to support my question. I believe that this topic will interest educators that use more traditional methods and those that are more tech savvy. And here's why. As generations age, so do the traditional methods of teaching. Technology is always advancing and we as the current generation must keep up. Traditional educators can continue to teach their curriculum, but they must know that perhaps there is an easier way to present the material or have the students do a project in a more exciting manner. Chalk boards are like ancient ruins to some kids nowadays, while SmartBoards are like flying cars to some educators. There will always be some kind of barrier between the old and the new, but everyday is a step closer to bridging that gap.