Journal #9

“Are Schools Inhibiting 21st Century Learning?”
The Journal
By Dave Nagel

This article focuses on the use of technology in schools. When recently polled, 40% of students said teachers limit their use of technology in schools while 45% said that school security measures on technology were limiting their ability to take advantage of technology to aid in their learning experiences. However, students and teachers did agree that technology use in education had overall improved students learning experiences. Specifically, students and teachers have seen the value technology games have had on students’ interest in schooling. Difficult subjects like math and science are more fun when students can use technology games to assist in their learning experiences. Ironically, even though both students and teachers have admitted to the benefit of technology games in the classroom, only about 11% of teachers use technology games in the classroom. Also, teachers have noted the importance of using mobile technology in the classroom to help their students learn. Mobile technology includes devices such as “laptop computers, cell phones, and digital media players (pg. 3).” When asked what equipment they would implement in their 21st century classroom, most teachers said they would implement laptop computers.

Questions:

1) Which technological device would I want to implement most in my classroom?

I would want to implement laptop computers into my classroom. Laptop computers are more versatile than desktop computers. Also, if the school allows it students can check them out and take them to finish their homework.

2) Is limiting web browsing security measures really limiting students’ ability to take advantage of technology in the classroom?

I do not believe that web browsing security measures are limiting students from taking advantage of technology in the classroom. Students have a huge amount of access to technology rich resources on the Internet regardless of web browsing security measures.