Computers in the Classroom 

In 1993 Larry Cuban wrote an article that identifies three possible scenarios that describe the use of technology in future classrooms. The first and least likely scenario was called the “technophile scenario”. In short, this scenario described a student getting scanned upon entering a classroom. After a computer reads the scan, it greets the child, determines areas of mastery and need then provides curriculum that would support those needs. The second scenario is the “Preservationist Scenario”. This scenario maintains a normal classroom setting but incorporates technology as a tool to increase productivity. The last scenario is the “Cautious Optimist Scenario”. This scenario describes a slow integration of technology in the classroom that will allow for a hybrid of teacher-centered and student-centered learning to occur. The teachers act as coaches to the student’s learning.  Slowly weaving the computers into the instruction will allow for efficient learning to occur without losing the teacher-student relationship.
I believe the “Preservationist Scenario” and the “Cautious Optimist Scenario” have prevailed in the past 20 years. Although we have the technology that could allow the “Technophile Scenario” to occur, according to Cuban (1993), “technophiles minimize the power of traditions and practices that have endured for centuries and perform important functions in society,” (p.10). Incorporating technology into the classroom should be a slow process in order to maintain the authenticity of the classroom.

While watching B.F. Skinner's original “Teaching Machine” video, I was weighing the cost/benefits between having no peer interaction or discussion about the learning versus the  benefit of differentiation and immediate feedback. Although the machine seems fun and exciting to use, I believe the magic would go away quickly and the students would be become very bored. The educator in the video seemed subordinate. Besides helping an occasional student, the teacher was actually more of an overseer to ensure students were using the machines properly. In the second video that compared the “Teaching Machine” to current day iPads, I found that they were almost the same device! The difference is that the iPads have more features and would be more engaging. They still encourage differentiation and immediate feedback but take away from authentic classroom discussions.

I am a huge advocate for the utilization of technology in education. I have 1:1 chromebooks in my classroom and my students are very efficient with them. The chromebooks allow my students to be hard at work while I meet with small groups. My students are independent with tasks on the Chromebooks. Technology keeps me from using as much paper thus reducing our classroom’s ecological footprint. Students are very engaged while on the the Chromebooks. They allow for timely feedback and help me monitor their work quickly.

Although I love technology and its use in the classroom, there is a time for technology and there is a time to put it away. While on a field trip this week, I looked around and each student in my small group had their phone up taking a picture. Although I love that they wanted to remember the moment, I feel that they were not actually in the moment and enjoying the artwork because they were hiding behind the cameras. Technology is not going anywhere so we need to teach kids the difference between wanting to use it and needing to use it.

One technology dream that I would love to see incorporated into my classroom is a system that would utilize the results of tests in order to create small strategy groups and reteaching topics for each of the small groups. It is something that teachers do on their own but would be more efficient and possibly more accurate with the use of computers.

References

Bonaiuti Giovanni. (2011, December 20). B.F Skinner. Teaching Machine and Programmed Learning. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/jTH3ob1IRFo

Cuban, L. (1993). Computers meet classroom: Classroom wins. Teachers College Record, 95(2), 185.

Ensemblemedia’s Channel (2013, April 9). B.F. Skinner and the Teaching Machine, Tablet Edition. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/jm9VMdQaAQQ