Integration of Educational Technology - Unit 2 - Goals of Ed Tech

Unit 2 - Goals of Ed Tech

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Q1. Warschauer (2011) identifies academic achievement as one of the primary goals of educational technology, but he also describes a paradox between state tests and research findings. What is the paradox? In his view, how should students principally be using computers? Do you agree?

Q2. What is the relationship between knowledge and skill development? Which do you believe will better prepare students for work and careers? Why?

Q3. What is the relationship between students' socio-economic status and their access to technology? What do you think about that? 

Q4. What surprised you while reading this chapter? Explain.

Q4. What surprised you while reading this chapter? Explain.

I was surprised by the point made by Gee & Jenkins.  That "geeking out" requires something "beyond a simple computer and Internet account," really shocked me (red exclamation points in the margin). 

HUH?  I do like the point that they make & Gee is one of my favorite in this domain . . . but what about the hackers of the 70s & 80s?!  What about the little Raspberry Pi (a computer that cost around 38 bucks) programmers?!   Perhaps it's easier to geek out when you have high end tech.  And, of course, many of the original tech geeks did live in homes that had computers. 

I can understand their argument.  It was just counter-intuitive to me, having grown up poor in a family with five brothers and an Army sergeant for a dad.  Of those six boys, four are now decently well off tech geeks.  And it began with fiddling around with an Atari 2600 that was used & broken VCRs.

I think I'm making this concept to personal.