Shanna Rounds November 15, 2007
shannarounds@yahoo.com
Tools for the Mind
by Mary Burns
In this article, Mary Burns addresses the trouble with technology in schools. The problem is not the technology itself, but the way our students are using and, more importantly, not using the resources available to them. Burns points out that students most often use Microsoft Office tools, such as Power Point, which only require low-order operations. Unfortunately, according to Ms. Burns, higher-order applications such as spreadsheets and databases are rarely used. On-line collaboration has also been neglected and therefore negates the need for broadband, which was highly sought-after for school use. In Burns' view, the Internet is simply an electronic textbook. So what is the reason students are not using computers to create learning experiences? It is really very simple, teachers themselves do not understand the tools or their instructional possibilities.
The solutions Burns presents to us is that we teach critical thinking first. She notes that we must return to the belief in the need for critical thinking, learner-centered education, and for students to use the computers as mind tools.
Main Points:
shannarounds@yahoo.com
Tools for the Mind
by Mary Burns
In this article, Mary Burns addresses the trouble with technology in schools. The problem is not the technology itself, but the way our students are using and, more importantly, not using the resources available to them. Burns points out that students most often use Microsoft Office tools, such as Power Point, which only require low-order operations. Unfortunately, according to Ms. Burns, higher-order applications such as spreadsheets and databases are rarely used. On-line collaboration has also been neglected and therefore negates the need for broadband, which was highly sought-after for school use. In Burns' view, the Internet is simply an electronic textbook. So what is the reason students are not using computers to create learning experiences? It is really very simple, teachers themselves do not understand the tools or their instructional possibilities.
The solutions Burns presents to us is that we teach critical thinking first. She notes that we must return to the belief in the need for critical thinking, learner-centered education, and for students to use the computers as mind tools.
Main Points:
- Tools such as PowerPoint, Word, and Publisher are all low-order applications.
- Spreadsheets and Databases demand concrete and abstract reasoning, higher-order applications.
- We should teach critical thinking first and technology later.
- Focus on curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
- Students must become creators of information and ideas, not just users of technology.
- Plan your curriculum and fit in technology. Do not shove curriculum into technology.
- Technology should support the core areas of teaching.
I appreciate what this article has to say. I think Ms. Burns is focused on what is important, rather than simply assuming that technology is the end-all-be-it for the future of education. I am now encouraged to learn how to use technology which addresses higher-order thinking so that I may teach my students the same skills. I would, however, like to know what she means by calling computers an "expensive fad for boondoggle"? The article was terribly boring, but at the same time had a lot of truths embedded in it.
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