Should Students Use Technology in the Classroom?
You can ask this question of a multitude of parents, educators, researchers, and students, and you will not get a consistent answer. While a good number of these individuals support the use of technology in the classroom, many parents believe that using a computer reduces the impact and importance of the teacher, and encourages students to become more disengaged from their learning. Some parents and educators are of the opinion that using a keyboard prevents their young children from learning how to write, and isn't this a critical communication skill? While some issues such as internet safety, inappropriate computer use and high costs can be argued against the use of technology in the classroom, just as many arguments have been made to support its use, from kindergarten through secondary school.
Most recently, Salman Khan, one of the most innovative, educational thinkers and founder of the Khan Academy, wrote an important book claiming that online learning allows for a free, world-class education for everyone, no matter where you live in the world. His new book, The One World Schoolhouse, asks us as parents and educators to rethink our assumptions about how education is delivered. Khan claims that our current Western methods of teaching and learning come out of the Industrial Age, and for the most part, lack relevance and are hampering our students from using technology for innovation and creativity and learning. He invalidates the argument that technology in the classroom disengages students and teachers by illustrating vividly why classrooms will become more engaging and teachers will be more valued and important.
The success of the Khan Academy's online learning has been staggering. Literally millions of young people, from the youngest students through university, are benefitting from free, engaging and focused lessons. Perhaps one of its greatest achievements, is that girls in far reaching, small and isolated parts of the globe are now being educated through Khan Academy. Girls who otherwise are not allowed to attend school have written about their lives now being opened up to freedom through knowledge. Closer to home, many schools are using online learning as an everyday learning tool. Overall, students whose communication centres around technology are motivated and adept at exploring learning and the world through technology in the classroom.
According to Khan, online learning is "education reimagined." It provides a free, universal education that inspires creative thought and innovation. Isn't it time that you take a closer look at the relevance of how curriculum is delivered in your child's school? What can we all be doing to inspire our children to use technology wisely and use computers to become critical thinkers and global citizens?