Don't get me wrong, I like technology. It offers benefits and opens up worlds that would not be accessible otherwise. However, I think it's crucial in this period of rapid technological adoption that we establish a precedent and continued practice of extended face to face human contact because it is human connection that drives the world and technological advancement.
In the article titled "No Child Left Untableted" I was disappointed to see how individuals seem to be relying on technology to fix the US's educational problems. So much of the rhetoric behind this proposal lies in customizing a kids classroom experience and giving teachers the tools they need to succeed. While these are admirable efforts, I think they fail to realize the dangers.
Anytime technology is introduce their is disruption, and tablets inside of a classroom may enhance learning but it will present problems. I know from experience. In any college class I've attended that has allowed for in class laptop use, I've spent the majority of the time messing around on my laptop and not playing attention in class. Introducing tablets in class just allows kids to develop this terrible habit at an early age.
What's even worse is that the tablets will have educational games that kids can play to further enhance their learning. Joel Klein, the chief executive of Amplify, the company supplying the tablets, believes that this will allow students to collaborate with each other as well. This type of thinking makes me think Klein and others at Amplify haven't been around kids in a minute. In my experience, most students do the bare minimum required in a class to complete an assignment. Some venture off and explore other areas or delve deeper into a concept, but if it's not mandatory most will not do the assignment. Plus, if students have a PS4 or Xbox One I'm confident they'd play those instead. Are school districts willing to spend money on tablets that are only being used when it's mandatory?
Lastly, Amplify wants to say that tablets will give teachers the tools to better teach their students. This may be the case, but if a teacher is a bad teacher to begin with, a tablet won't make them any better. Instead of just thrusting a tablet into a teacher's hand and making them lesson plan with it, we should be creating a system that fosters better teacher development. Ultimately a good teacher makes the biggest difference not technology. Students almost never cite technology as the difference maker in their life. It's usually a teacher or another figure of authority that helps students realize their potential.
Ultimately, we will not stop technology from being included in the classroom I just hope it doesn't consume every avenue of learning that were students are unable to function without it.
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