Rethinking Education: Chapter 9

     It is easy to see how technology has progressed and become more influential to society over the years. It is also easy to see the technology gap widening as the years and technology progress. "For the first time in history, children are more comfortable, knowledgeable, and literate than their parents about an innovation central to society" (p. 122). I think that this quote is really something to consider; children may be more capable in a future society than adults, if adults refuse to learn new technologies. I think that it is important for adults to try to be life-long learners, who are willing to learn new technologies. I think that technology is a really powerful and fun way for students and adults to learn to problem solve and virtually communicate. I think that although students are spending more and more time on the computer, and less time getting physical exercise, computers can be used to benefit students. I also think that with more and more video gaming systems, such as Nintendo Wii, that encourage students to actively participate in the game, children will actually be able to be physically active while playing fun video games. People also worry that video games and computer time hinder a child's ability to communicate with others and learn valuable social skills, but I think that technology actually provides a means for people to speak their minds more and communicate more. I think that blogs and online social networking sites allow students to connect with friends and family and share ideas and comments with one another. I also know that video games and virtual environments are very effective tools to help children who have autism learn social skills; although perhaps video games and virtual worlds will never be a large part of the classroom curriculum, I think that they are powerful assets that should be used in the home to help students learn new things and skills. As far as parents go, I think that parents should try to connect with their children by playing video games with their children and using instant messengers/facebook to communicate with their children in a way that their children enjoy. I think that as the years progress, technology too will progress; it is up to us to stay connected to the current technologies, so that we do not end up getting left behind (we also need to make sure that we as educators do not end up putting our students behind by not giving them enough time to use and learn about technology).

     As a future educator, I hope to encourage my students to learn how to problem solve, especially through the use of technology. I think that problem solving is integral to all subject matter and especially to real life situations. I hope to integrate technologies into my classroom, to promote students to use technology to help them to learn.