Cindy Thelen
D/B1

I disagree with Postman’s view of the purpose of schools. How can we have a civilized society if they have not been taught to read, write, reason, and observe? The list of kindergarten social values (share everything, play fair, etc) are ideals we want to impart to our children but how do we deal with people who do not believe in sharing, playing fair, and not hitting? How can the complex problems that our world is facing be solved if people are lacking the skills to understand and address them?

Technology in the classroom is an opportunity to reach a generation of tech-savvy souls and to individualize curriculum and instruction. It can be used to reach students beyond our classroom.
This year I taught a World Geography class online. My students were homeschoolers in Iowa, and we were able to use available technology to converse, share, study, and learn together. For some of these students, it was their first opportunity to have an instructor other than a parent!

Yes, the possibility for information overload is endless in our world, yet, even that can be curtailed with the push of a button. Information doesn’t need to overwhelm is we would be a little selective. We can apply ourselves to quiet reflection and reading, can we not? If children are taught to read and experience the pleasures and benefits associated with that ability, they will have endless opportunities to explore our world and expand their interests, which will in turn help them participate in the world around them.

Technology has been both our enemy (atomic bombs) and our friend. Think of all the technologies that help us deal with health issues (stents, by-pass surgery, kidney dialysis, to name a few), mobility (wheelchairs, autos, and airplanes), relationships (telephone, email, and other ways to keep in touch with friends and loved ones). Technology need not be feared, but should be used with some modicum of discretion, as not to interfere with our humanness.

Reigeluth and Joseph's article seemed too judgmental toward the past. Does he really believe that education has focused on sorting and not learning? From my own experience, I believe the vast majority of teachers have poured their hearts and minds into reaching each student. Most of my teachers were cheerleaders of all their students and were known to go the extra mile to reach each one.

Reigeluth and Joseph’s idea of customization rather than standardization is a worthy, but difficult goal for all teachers. Practically speaking, how do we individualize instruction for 25 or more students? How do we track their progress? Technology can be part of the answer, particularly in tracking progress, and giving individual students the extra help they need, without ignoring the rest of the class.

I really appreciated their idea about a learning-focused paradigm, because we want our students to be thinkers. I think we need to use technology to enhance our lessons, meet out students where they are at, and strive to develop thinking students who can address the world they live in.