We are all aware that certain technologies can no longer
find place in the classroom. In my Reading 411 class, we discussed
certain dying technologies that have been erased out of existence. Lets
think about it. When we were in school, teachers were required to rent a
television from the school in order to show a movie in class. The shortages
of televisions made it very hard for teachers to present media clips in their
classroom and incorporate different types of media in the classroom
environment. Nowadays, most schools are investing in some type of smart-board
to place in each classroom. the smartboard and projector system enables
the teachers to present power-points, do activities and show movies all in one
system.
The Smart board system makes the television and chalkboard
completely irrelevant which when i was little were the technologies of the
day. Also, overhead projectors that are used in math classrooms
frequently are not used that often in other subjects due to the smart
board. Thankfully, slide projectors from the 1970s are no longer being
used. In elementary school, whether I was in library, English or
social studies those old slide projectors would be utilized and i would be
bored to death. These technologies, among many others are naturally dying
off due to the technological evolution process.
While they were good in their day, they are being replaced by better
more efficient technology that will benefit students.
John,
ReplyDeleteYou bring up really interesting points. I remember that too, teachers having to sign up for a television or other resources. It is crazy how technology in the classroom has changed over time. I have never actually seen a smartboard, but I know a lot of people have been talking about them. I think the projectors are awesome, I remember when teachers used over-head projectors. It seems like as time goes on technology is being replaced.
Dead technologies. You're right, John; with growing resources, more schools are beginning to replace older technologies with newer ones. I think it's important to identify and understand the new functions of technology rather than the particular technologies themselves. For example, the SmartBoard still retains the functions of its predecessor, the chalkboard; one of its many uses is to provide a visual demonstration of the teacher's annotations. It also functions, as you mentioned, as a video player and overhead projector. Though it is not the same, it still serves the same functions for developing visual and textual literacy. Are there any new functions for technology being developed? Even as I undertake my own research with online forums, essentially the same core standards are being served. Which other sorts of literacy can be assessed with all of this new technology? It's something to ponder.
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