Chapter 2 Book Study

Page 10
Quote: "Enthusiasts argue that trying to prepare students for the 21st century with 19th century technology is like teaching people to fly a rocket ship by having them ride bicycles."

I find this quote meaningful because we live in the 21st century. What this means is that every day, we are using cellphones, smartphones, laptops, iPads, computers, televisions, smart televisions, etc. With all of this technology that is advancing the workplace, we need to use technology to teach our students in order for them to be prepared with what will be their future. If we teach only using box computers and calculators but not using any of the tools online, or not using SMART Boards and instead using blackboards, our students are not going to become as knowledgeable as they need to be. Not only will we be teaching the standard material, but we also need to teach the standards, meaning that students will learn how to be resourceful, organized, and creative and critical thinkers. New technology is the only way for students to be able to master these standards. Blackboards and chalk aren't going to cut it.


Page 14
Quote: "Enthusiasts argue for just-in-time learning as the counter to the school strategy of trying to teach everything one might need to know someday. Many Americans spend 15-20 years in school learning things that they may or may not use later in life."

I find this quote meaningful because I felt that way in school, too. I would learn pre-calculus, but what would I use that knowledge for? I still haven't found a use for it. Just-in-time learning will prepare our students to be able to find the resources necessary to find the information just in time. What is happening in schools right now is just-in-case learning. We learn all this information just in case we need it later in life. However, most students forget what they learned, or have a hard time remembering the full details. With just-in-time learning, schools can focus on specifics instead of trying to cover great detail in such a little time. Schools can focus on helping students be resourceful, like the standard.



Page 17
Quote: "Once technologies become commonplace in schools, teachers can build on interventions like the IEP to bring customized learning to more schools."

I chose this quote because this book, I feel, has it wrong. The IEP already takes into consideration technology. In several practicums, the students in special education use iPads, voice/hearing tools, sight tools, etc. Understanding more technology will help find more ways to customize learning. Instead of focusing on special education, which is more advanced than the general education classroom, focus on how customizing education for every student will be helpful or detrimental. Technology will help students that are in Tier 2, however, because these students don't need special education services yet, but technology may help them get to Tier 1 faster and more efficiently.