Anyway this whole situation got me thinking about to things: potential problems with implementing digital textbooks into the classroom and how dependent people are on technology.
I'll address the former point first. What if this malfunction occurred during school and I could no longer access my school textbook? How would I access the information I needed? I started referring to some articles I read that spoke to my concerns about these problems. One possible solution is to have print textbooks available in the classroom in addition to the digital ones. Another solution, although maybe not the best way, is to work off a smart phone, or other devices with internet access. Third possible solution, download a pdf of the textbook. This solution kind of defeats the purpose of redefining the digital textbook because new features would not work in the pdf version. Lastly, have an amazing tech support team on speed dial and have them fix your computer in seconds.
Onto the ladder point, and most importantly HOW HAVE I SURVIVED WITHOUT NETFLIX?! Wow, I really am dependent on this thing. On average, a young adult spends about 10 plus hours a day connected to technology. (I actually expected more, but I guess mortals need sleep.) The argument here is because students are spending so much time integrated with technology, they need it in the classroom as well. Everything in the 'real world' involves knowledge of technology. So by integrating technology and creating classrooms of the future (as I like to call them), it is preparing students for life beyond the classroom. While I see the point being made, for arguments sake, I would pose that students need less time connected to technology. Maybe they should go out and see the stars in the sky, not just from a constellation map app. Or go and see science labs hands on, not just observing them. Obviously the whole issue of money and budgets is at play here. I'm not saying one way is better for than the other. This is what we are trying to figure out after all.
Anyway I'll leave you with those thoughts. Feel free to leave your own. :)
Good bye for now!
Val
Maybe in the future whole new software will be created and condensed into an app that you can download that supports not only textbooks but also the new features without needing internet!
ReplyDeleteThat would be an awesome solution! :)
DeleteI feel like the "future classroom" is headed towards having multiple fancy new computers for the students to learn. But then in that case you would need a computer for every student and that costs a lot a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree on the cost issues! What about in the future classroom there was a large table top touch screen computer where the students and teachers could all interact together?
DeleteI think future classrooms might be able to use technology that's more interactive (and possibly hands on with simulators etc.) but I agree that students need to learn things by doing more than just looking at a screen
ReplyDeleteOo simulators would be a cool thing to have!
DeleteI think future classrooms might be able to use technology that's more interactive (and possibly hands on with simulators etc.) but I agree that students need to learn things by doing more than just looking at a screen
ReplyDeleteHi Chris - did you change your problem statement? I thought you were investigating test programs for software.
ReplyDelete- mac
Hey Mr. Mac, This is Val. Here is a link to Chris's blog. :) http://chrisvaranese.blogspot.com/
Deletehey Val,
ReplyDeletebasis scottsdale five just about the lowest tech school I've come across in a long time. And yet academic achievement is not bad at all :) Do you think students would learn more effectively at basis if they had well designed electronic textbooks?
I think the students could learn more through the implementation of technology in the classroom. I feel as though it would greatly enhance the education and bring BASIS students to yet another level of smart.
DeleteWow, I don't know where "Basis Scottsdale five" came from. Goes to show what happens when you dictate comments from your mobile phone!
DeleteI am a little dubious about how much measurable improvement in learning outcomes could be achieved at BASIS with electronic textbooks. Would be interested to hear if there are any studies on the subject... meanwhile, the cost and maintenance of the equipment, and the implementation on the part of teachers are all significant challenges...
How do you think online textbooks would affect the future generations, if that's all the used, instead of actual textbooks? Do you think that they already use too much technology?
ReplyDeleteI think kids these days do use way to much technology, however, with that said they are also using it for the wrong reasons. I think that if kids were to use electronics in ways to help them become more in tact with the surrounding world through the advancements in electronic textbooks that then they would gain invaluable information as they move through a digital world.
DeleteVal, I love how you took a personal experience of a dead laptop and reflected on your project with the issue regarding potential problems with implementing digital textbooks into the classroom. I'm wondering if you brought this up with your research group?
ReplyDeleteThe issue of our dependence on computers functioning as well as wifi speed is a real limitation to broad implementation of digital texts. But the issue goes beyond the obvious of your personal experience and we need to think about issues regarding equity. What do we do with schools that are not as well equipped or students that do not have access to the internet at home? Those are BIG questions that really need to be address on a systemic level not part of your project. :)