We are Working with an Old Model

Why do you think we still have technology classes especially in the primary grades?

This is a really good question, and I can only guess why it’s the case.  It’s easier to say how they originated, so I’ll start there.  Back in the dawn of computers becoming part of a school’s landscape it was cost prohibitive to provide enough computers for students to have frequent access to them.  A 1:1 program wasn’t even a consideration.  It’s taken quite some time for the computer:student ratio come down to where it is today, and it is still not ideal.

We are working with an old model

Besides the original cost concerns, there were relatively few teachers qualified to lead students through a quality lesson using a computer.  I clearly remember when I learned what a bookmark was. Putting me in front of a classroom with $30,000 worth of computers and eagerly waiting students at that time wouldn’t have been a good choice.  I guess what I’m getting at is there was a time when the computer:student ratio was too high and there were relatively few teachers to provide effective instruction using the computers.  We didn’t have any other choice than to have pull-out technology classes.

My short answer to the question above is that we are working with an old model.

At one time we taught them how to save files, use a mouse, and “work” the computer….I know I use to teach those classes. Has the purpose of those classes changed?

I remember teaching students how to ‘work’ the machine and it was much like you mentioned above:  ”Here is the mouse and keyboard, they are input devices.”  ”Here is the monitor and printer, they are output devices…”

At that time we were teaching students how to ride a bike, not how a bike can open up the world to you.  The bike/computer is simply the tool to getting things done.  It’s a means to an end.

Having pull-out technology lessons isn’t an efficient way to ‘teach’ technology.  Yes, there are some basic operating skills that need to be accomplished, but I would like to see computers used like a pencil, a simple tool that can be taken for granted and used for enhancing the creativity of our students.