Technology in Education

By Bob Duff

Today's technology enhances learning, improves communication, and saves effort. It is important that computer skills be taught beginning in the elementary schools.

Technology in education encompasses computers used for teaching purposes in the classroom as well as ancillary equipment used by the teacher as an aide to teaching non-computer subjects.

Efficient maintenance support to existing computer equipment is a means of keeping the teacher on the task of teaching as opposed to maintaining equipment. Prop M dollars have purchased Technology Walls for many classrooms because the teachers needed them. They will need maintenance. We need that support.

Updating equipment and current software is expensive and an ongoing challenge. Lease agreements frequently are affordable and are a means of lowering the update expense. Adopt-a-School in other locales has provided a source of donation of technological equipment. We need another money source.

Some of the technology subjects taught in the high schools are now are being taught in middle school. The elementary school districts in East County need to be involved in articulation with the high schools to avoid duplication and keep kids interested in their education. We need to find ways to provide greater access to computers for kids, particularly in the Spring Valley area. It is essential that teachers be up-to-speed in how to use software to analyze student records in order to see exactly what skills students need to improve, and also be able to use technology as an effective teaching tool. Staff development can address this.

Learning to write without concern for spelling (spell check) is allowing students to better express themselves. Learning is exciting when a student is successful. It is for that reason word processing is an asset to teaching writing in English as well as making reports in social studies. This is not to eclipse the basic essentials of fundamental spelling and basic arithmetic.

The Web or Internet is a vast source of information present for students to research. Learning how to organize the search through Boolean reasoning assists the student in finding answers to questions they formerly did not even know how to ask. Sites can be researched in multiple languages and viewed for translation to be used in appropriate subjects and for the bilingual student. In addition, students need to understand how to evaluate the information they find on the Internet to see if it is accurate.

Students cannot rely on just spell check and calculators and the Internet as they are tools to augment the mind not replace it. We need to know how to use Technology appropriately.