Philosophy
I remember back in eighth grade when my math teacher selected a few of her students that had a mastery of the material at hand and brought them back to a PET Commadore computer and we learned programming. I really didn’t understand what this machine was going to do for me. We made figures move across the screen and balls bounce up and down. I didn’t see the relevance of the personal computer at the time. When I went to college, we had a few assignments that had to be done on Apple machines. I didn’t have any knowledge how to operate a computer using the operating system. It was a struggle for me.
When I started teaching in Flandreau in 1993, we had Apple machines, but they were much easier to use than those in college. These computers also had modems that would allow us to use something called the internet. It was then that I realized that the computer was going to have some potential for me.
I believe that all students can learn. Each student has one or two methods that allows him/her to learn better than other methods. Teachers need to find multiple methods of introducing new knowledge that fits multiple intelligences. Providing these varied opportunities to students will allow every student to build upon prior knowledge and experiences and therefore, learn.
Cooperative learning, simulation models, researching new information, demonstrations, concept mapping, hands-on measurement methods and many other techniques need to be used in the classroom to build upon students' prior knowledge. All of these methods of learning have been done for decades. But now we have new tools to make these methods even better: the personal computer and access to the World Wide Web.
Education today needs to incorporate the electronic technological tools available to better serve the students of today. Cooperative learning can be done at a distance, any place-any time, using wiki’s. Simulations can now be done using software programs, saving time and money. Researching new information is as easy as the click of a mouse using one of many internet search engines available on the internet. Demonstrations can be easily done by finding video clips on the internet that have real-world applications. Concept maps are easy to create with all of the free software applications on the internet. Probe-ware can be used with software programs to gather and analyzed data.
But I always like to remember that today’s current technological tools are just that: tools. Learning can and will occur without these new tools. Early man learned how to use simple machines, like the lever and inclined plane, to make work easier. This meant they could get more work done in less time. This means they had more power. Electronic technology of today makes learning easier, therefore faster, making today's educational opportunities more powerful.
For modern-day teachers, current computers, along with the hardware and software, makes teaching easier and more powerful. Course management systems (CMS) allow managing a classroom faster and easier than ever before. Grades are now managed electronically. Communication can be done electronically, any place-any time. Formative and summative evaluations can be created, administered, collected and analyzed electronically.
