This session is more in the form of a workshop than a seminar. Together we will open up and discuss a number of issues that need to be discussed so that education technology may become a science that supports learning, not just a dream.
Note: The planning for this session (originally a 2 hour session which became a 1 hour session), included practical sessions whereby the participants would prioritize learning issues and analyse samples of learning to be transfered and decide upon appropriate technologies (if necessary) to achieve effective learning.
Background
There is so much rhetoric about the importance of the role of technology (education technology) in learning here in Indonesia. I refer to it as rhetoric because there is usually no significant evidence cited to support these claims.
What is Educational Technology?
"Educational technology is most simply and comfortably defined as an array of tools that might prove helpful in advancing student learning." Ref: Educational Technology An array of tools that might prove helpful.
Is it true, a machine (computer) can teach better than a human being?
Read "Using Multimedia is Proved to Raise Student Scores"
What does this article really prove?
- Probably just shows the weaknesses in teaching methodologies and dedication of our lecturers, true?
In contrast, many people are very doubtful about the application of technology in education:
"Those who place their faith in technology to solve the problems of education should look more deeply into the needs of children. The renewal of education requires personal attention to students from good teachers and active parents, strongly supported by their communities. It requires commitment to developmentally appropriate education and attention to the full range of children's real low-tech needs - physical, emotional, and social, as well as cognitive."
Also: "Computers pose serious health hazards to children. The risks include repetitive stress injuries, eyestrain, obesity, social isolation, and, for some, long-term physical, emotional, or intellectual developmental damage. Our children, the Surgeon General warns, are the most sedentary generation ever. Will they thrive spending even more time staring at screens?" Ref: Fool's Gold
Do we need high-technology to learn / teach?
Definitely not, except if we are learning / teaching technology subjects, for instance Computer Science or Information Technology (ICT).
We only need ask "Couldn't people learn before we had the modern technologies?"
But doesn't technology help learners to learn?
Read: "Technology in our classrooms"
Our comments are written below:
There are two main issues that I believe need expanding upon before attempting to compare needs within the two countries (USA & Indonesia):
1. The basic requirements for achieving quality teaching, standards of classrooms and basic education facilities in Indonesia need to be achieved before we can legitimately begin to compare the role and relevance of education technology in the two countries.
Basic issues including collapsing buildings and leaking rooves really need to be addressed before we can even contemplate placing computers in the classrooms. 30,000 districts in Indonesia still do not have electricity. Ref: http://EducationTechnology.US/ies.html
2. The use of the Internet for the vast majority of Indonesian students whose English language skills are very low is highly questionable. The use of the Internet as a learning tool can not validly be compared to that in English-speaking countries. There is very litle educational material on the Web in Indonesian, and the low standard of much of the material that is available raises many serious questions about quality learning issues and the effective use of student time.
There is no question that all students need to learn about computers and information technology (IT). IT and foreign language skills are rapidly becoming pre-requisites for any meaningful employment prospects. IT has entered all aspects of the workplace here in Indonesia as it has in the rest of the world.
However, the prioritization of education technology ahead of other basic education needs in public (state) schools is highly questionable and only promises to elevate many current equity issues.
RE: 'One should not forget that only five years ago, Prof. Larry Cuban of Stanford University found that only 1 in 10 teachers were using computers in the classroom (in the U.S.). Now, computers are an integral part of teachers' daily activities.'
One should also not forget that whether there has been improvement (or otherwise) to the quality of education in American schools is an issue that is constantly being debated. We need concrete evidence that education quality is improved before we commit our limited financial resources here in Indonesia.
The primary question that needs to be asked, and is frequently overlooked is 'do we need education technology to achieve quality teaching/learning?'
There is much rhetorical evidence to support this claim and it is usually associated with improved student motivation stimulated by the utilization of the technologies.
However, as I found in some minor research in Australia back in 1996, students also quickly become bored with extended exposure to e-Learning materials and there are some other basic factors that are not addressed by technology as a learning medium.
Ask youself if you have ever been bored by the frequent use of programs like powerpoint which is often associated with low learner participation in the learning process. Do many technologies used by teachers actually result in a more passive and less effective learning environment?
Even the Overhead Projector which has been with us for decades, because of poor planning and low quality materials often only serves to impede the education process. How effective will use of higher level technologies really be in our schools?
RE: 'develop a benchmark of an appropriate level of technology use in schools, for example by evaluating a U.S. example'
Surely appropriate levels of education technology should reflect the actual needs of teachers here, not what some individual or institution has decided is necessary in their situation (in a far-away country).
We need to continually reflect upon the basic question 'do we need education technology to achieve quality teaching/learning?'. For instance, one technology that is often most effective is the use of large sheets of paper which engages the learners in the learning proces both physically and mentally (see above).
Ask yourself (and other experienced teachers) Do I need technology to teach this? If so, what technolgy is most appropriate? This is the basic principle that underpins Education Technology as a Science.
Phillip Rekdale
1 September, 2008
"I am agree on all points you mentioned. Indeed, I can answer "No" without any hesitation to your basic question 'do we need education technology to achieve quality teaching/learning?'" (Totok Amin Soefijanto, 31-8-2008)
Mr. Totok Amin Soefijanto is Deputy Rector (Vice-Chancellor) for Academics and Research at Paramadina University, Jakarta. He earned his Ed.D in educational media and technology at Boston University.
What is the solution for improving education quality?
