Tech Biases and Beliefs

Many kids growing up today have an advantage over past generations, one that could not have even been dreamed of 20 years ago. Many kids start kindergarten and within weeks have a full [five-year-old] understanding of the smart board, a computer, or even an iPad. Today's generation can often be found teaching their parents, and elders, how to correctly program computers/televisions/tablets. I believe that the programs available to these kids can set them ahead tenfold, and should be utilized to their fullest extent when appropriate. 

What do I mead by "when appropriate?"... Do I think kindergarteners should learn to type before they can write full sentences? Do I think teenagers should be so familiar with technological programs that instead of having a conversation face-to-face with somebody they depend on texting? Absolutely not. I believe there are many disadvantages that go hand in hand with teaching children how to use such complex devices at such young ages. I believe there a loss of character, a loss of social skills, and a loss of figuring things out the right way (and not just always depending on google). As evident as the benefits are to technology, there are many negatives that aren't always as apparent. 

During the 2012-2013 school year I was fortunate enough to work in a kindergarten classroom; more specifically 1:1 with a non-verbal little boy. During that year, "Matt" and I learned together how to use his iPad as a form of communication between he and other students... and between him and myself. We were able to evaluate his understanding of certain areas, and progress throughout the year. Through the use of different programs on both the Smart Board, and on his iPad, a level of communication was available that might not otherwise exist. "Matt" will not be mainstreamed his entire education, but his parents wanted him to experience the social aspects of school, the same way all children do. Without his iPad, he might not have had the chance of making friends and communicating with his peers as well as he did. 

Like any topic, given the task, I could argue either side of technological benefits vs. negatives. Used the correct way, I believe technology in the classrooms creates a new level of what can be taught! Throughout this semester [and next] I hope to learn how to utilize technology in the classroom to it's fullest extent. I hope to use it to push my future students further than they thought they could be pushed. I hope to use it to teach lessons that weren't as available 10 years ago. I want to do this, and more, in the right way. I don't want my students to lose the intimacy of personal conversations, or the feeling FINALLY conquering the cursive "Z".