rozzie brennan (rbrennan@csu.edu.au)
Sun, 4 Jul 1999 09:38:37 +1000
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 1999 09:38:37 +1000 From: rbrennan@csu.edu.au (rozzie brennan) Subject: Re: Technology as a Tool and Transformation of Learning!
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Hi everyone
A few comments on Tom 's posting about Technology as a tool of educational
transformation:
1)In spite of the fact that within some space of time technology will be
accessible to millions more people I wonder whether it is the source of
equity that we sometimes think that it is. Television and the phone have
become tools of contact and communication .they are now accessible items
within many environments but I have no reason to believe that they have
delivered any greater equity across the globe.Access is often confused with
equity.We have overlaid new technologies across already embedded inequities
and the promises of new relationships between the haves and the have nots
have simply not materialised.In our passion for the tools we may have lost
sight of our projects and be beuilding more edifices which reinforce the
income and life style differences rather than dismantling them.People need
social and intellectual capital in large quantities to be able To 'take
advantage ' of the new technologies.Access alone is no guarantee of
increasing equity.Those with the skills to exploit and profit from the new
media will prosper and others will be users in precisely the same
positions that they occupy now.A new set of tools doesn't mean a whole new
order will appear.Struggling for your life in Ethiopia will not be altered
by supplying technological access.
2.I too am concerned that the critical skills that allow humans to decode
and assess the validity of the medium and the information disseminated are
not regarded as passionately as the medium itself.
This breeds sometimes a kind of technological amorality.The medium is
invested with powers which it simply does not have.It is the human
interface which education needs to focus on and in the froth and bubble of
wonderful communication tools we seem to lose sight of our identities as
educators.Perhaps we are not waving but drowning.
Ros Brennan
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>
>Arun
>
>This issue parallels to some extent discussions on other lists. I don't
>think the question can be answered or has been answered generically.
>But, here are some specific issues which might be addressed:
>
>1) It was thought that technology would be the reat "equalizer" allowing
>all ships to be raised, but particularly the disenfranchised. I see no
>evidience that the disenfranchised and educational acess challenged have
>been able to gain any advantage or march on those who have access to the
>full spectrum of opportunities. The twechnology, like the 6-gun in the
>US West will not turn out to be the "great equalizaer" and, in fact, as
>in sports, today, those with access to the best resources might even
>widen the gap- a very great danger.
>
>2) if technology is able to be of benefit, in what arena has it proven
>itself and in what areas has it not made a signficant difference in
>education? In building basic technical skills the references cited by
>you may have some relevance. I am concerned that in the critical skills
>of the humanities and liberal studies, politics, soical science and
>critical thinking (in the broadest interdisciplinary sense) that we have
>miles to go before we sleep. Let's sort out the cognitive and affective
>domains today and not dwell on the potential of the future in the same
>breath
>
>thoughts?
>
>tom abeles
>
>
>
>
>Arun-Kumar Tripathi wrote:
>
>> Dear IFETS Spectrum,
>>
>> Thanks for some stimulating discussions.
>>
>> On Thu, 1 Jul 1999, Peter Kandlbinder wrote:
>> > I haven't seen any research evidence that suggests technology impacts on
>> > the learning to any significant degree.
>>
>> I cannot understand this! Technology is always a tool to enhance learning.
>> if you are not agree with my statement, then please define technology?
>> What do you mean by technology?
>>
>
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"With the imperatives of 'is and seems'
And 'may and may not','desire and control'.
The pain of living and the drug of dreams
Curl up in the window seat ". TS Eliot
Rozzie Brennan
CSU Wagga Wagga..phone 0419604323 mobile
wk 0269332745
home 0269216093
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