This document was created by Apple Computer, Inc. in 2003. Does the information seem relevant to us today? Skewed? Perhaps....think about the message and the perspective and post your thoughts.
http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/galleryfiles/487/achievement.pdf
Proactive Pathways for Engagement
20 hours ago
Although I thought this was an interesting article, there was one underlying fact that bothered me. Apple is a corporation with a lot to gain by demonstrating that they care about our children and that computers help kids learn. Besides that they seem to have really done their homework, recognizing that children at urban schools have a higher dropout rates and lower reading abilities. I found their concept of the need to redefine achievement refreshing, it is true that the role of technology in the work-world seems like a never-ending continuum. Do I believe all their claims that children pick up reading, writing and arithmetic faster when taught through technology? Some of it. I do believe that to Millennials technology comes like second nature. As if it is a second language. Since they enjoy it more they will probably spend more time doing it and that will help them learn. They are more engaged and will use it longer. As to the claim that technology supports long-term learning in children by categorizing information instead of just memorizing it, I’m not so sure. I can’t help but wonder are the kids just putting everything in its box and then forgetting about it? One fact that is true is the continued demand for technology related jobs which required more education and specific skills. Like the Ken Robinson film we watched in class, education can be unpredictable. No one knows what the world will look like in 20 years so it is difficult to educate people for the jobs of tomorrow. The bottom line is that successful use of technology is a skill that every child needs to master and that if its use gets kids to sit up and pay attention then there is nothing to lose and everything to gain.
ReplyDeleteAchievement For All Children; An Apple Perspective - The key to the title is An Apple Perspective, As I found this article to be bias in the attempt to promote their own agenda. None the less, it did present some interesting facts on generation Y. I do agree that technology is important and should be utilized in our classrooms as a tool, especially because it brings familiarity to the classroom. However, what the article fails to mention is the significance of our traditional ways of learning. For example: I think there is great value in learning mathematical equations the long way before being allowed to use the calculator.
ReplyDeleteToday’s students have grown up with technology. By integrating technology into learning opportunities at schools, educators can engage even the most reluctant students in learning activities.
ReplyDeleteBy acknowledging “How students want to learn” teachers can open new horizons for students with the help of technology. By using technology, students can learn basic skills much faster with more interesting idea. Technology will increases their productivity, information access and motivation.
With access of technology in classrooms, students can see their bright future which will keep them engaged in schools to increase success in life.
While I agree that this article favours the use of technology and there is likely some bias, coming from a major technology vendor, they make a good representation of the student of tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don't believe that the learning needs of the millenials are that much different from any other era.
The main message is that we need to adapt our teaching practices to meet the needs of our students. That may be taking advantage of technology, however it may be changing our teaching techniques. I think it would be naive to think that the internet and laptops are the solution to education. They certainly are effective tools to use, however the key component is still informed teaching.
Reading this article I must say that I was somewhat torn between my knee jerk reaction to large corporations and their “hidden agenda” and the perspective that Apple may just be a socially responsible company. A company who values education and sees the overwhelming statistical data about drop-out rates and the truth about how American children are being failed within the existing school systems. I have now decided, the position of Apple is likely somewhere in the middle.
ReplyDeleteThe oldest members of the millennial generation may vaguely remember “life before the internet”, but this generations very youngest members have been surrounded by technology to some degree their entire lives. Thus, in agreement with many of the arguments put forth in this article, I do agree that possessing technological proficiency skills are of the utmost importance. It is here however that I would like to slightly digress and discuss where technological proficiency may also be harming today’s youth.
The article refers to “expert multitaskers”. “Millennials have no problem watching TV, browsing the Internet, listening to music, and communicating with their friends –all at once.” (pg.3)
Are these valuable skills children are learning? What has happened to spending after school hours playing outdoors and spending time with friends, rather than “communicating with them” through some form of technology?
A disconnect has developed between children and the environment, which poses a serious issue, that if you do not learn to love and respect your surroundings, exploitation and degradation may come easier to you. Moving on to the social aspect of education, some of the best lessons I have learned have been through interacting with friends and peers, and by interacting, I do not mean text or instant messaging.
Furthermore, I’d like to shed light on the prevalence of childhood obesity that is plaguing the country. Is there perhaps a connection with children sitting in front of computers day and night and these statistics? I am not sure, but reading the article and the strong arguments put forth in favor of technology I began to think about the downsides, and indeed there is a possible connection existing.
“Results from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 16 percent of children and adolescents ages 6-19 years are overweight. As shown in table 1, this represents a 45 percent increase from the overweight estimates of 11 percent obtained from NHANES III (1988-94).”
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/overwght99.htm
In conclusion, yes I believe technology to be relevant in the lives of students today. Of course it should be utilized to aid in the education process, but to disregard the value of alternative resources because they are not “flashy gadgets” or on the computer screen would result in a loss of many priceless educational assets. It seems as though Apple is putting forth the idea that technology is the only way to learn, and in my opinion that is a shame, because there is nothing better than curling up with a good book.
I found this article an interesting read and filled with statistics I wasn't aware of such as the type of electronic devices and the type of online activities teenagers use. Surely, this information is useful for educational purposes as well as for businesses inventing and manufacturing such devices. I also found the statistics regarding academic achievement based on social economic status disturbing, but not surprising. Funding from either the government or from other sources can influence the quality of education.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to how Millennials want to learn, I believe this is an important trend to observe and possibly implement into the teacher's lesson plan. As the article mentions, technology seems to be a natural magnet for students and if it means they are spending more time reading and writing, then it has all the right elements for a good learning environment. The trick is for the teacher to develop a lesson plan that would maximize the level of engagement so the learning process would benefit the student inside and outside the classroom.