There is a debate about media. Richard Clark argues that media "do not influence student achievement any more than the truck that delivers our groceries causes change in our nutrition." While Robert Kozma argues that learning tasks can be done with media can media. This debate that was made by Clark in the early 1980's is still being discussed in 2016, thirty-three years later.
I agree with Kozma's argument. He says that media says that the question should be "In what ways can we use the capabilities of media to influence learning for particular students, tasks, and situation?" The capabilities relate to technology, symbol systems, and processing capabilities. Kozma defines technology as "the physical, mechanical, or electronic capability of the medium." In addition , "its primary importance is in the way it communicates and presents information. " Just having computers isn't technology. It also includes how things are delivered and received.
Having computers in the classroom doesn't mean that students are learning. From my short ten years in education I have went from feeling the way Clark feels about to technology to the way Kozma argues technology/media. Technology through computers is one of the tools for learning. There are times when there are issues with the technology in the classroom. I was without the promeathean board, document camera, and and access to display any visuals to students. It was back to chart paper or the dry erase board and markers. For me it was comfortable to present information that way, but only about half of the students were receptive of the information. Students like to interact in their learning. The use of programs and visuals to aid in learning aids to in receiving and processing information. The role of technology in education has changed. Teachers have to learn high tech ways to present information therefore changing the way information is delivered. Educators are using blogs, videos to share information and get input from learners.
When students can google it or find it on youtube, as educators its important to integrate media/technology into instruction to engage the learner. I agree with Dave Moffat's conclusion of Clark and Kozman's debate. "The debate is finished and the winners are everyone. Design is the key influence to learner. Both medium and method are important elements in the design. To reach today's learner, we must include technology or the learner will eek it out alone."
References
https://dcmoffat71.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/clark-and-kozma-debate-is-it-still-relevant/
Mellon, C. (1999). Technology and the Great Pendulum of Education . Journal of Research on Computing in Education. 32(1). pp.28-36. Retrieved from
The media debate. (2012, August 30). Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/The_media_debate
I also agree with Moffat, the debate seems finished in my mind as well and students who have thoughtful teachers who discern which media to use and know how to use it correctly are the winners.
ReplyDeleteExactly, media needs to be used correctly in order for it to be effective.
ReplyDeleteAw! I miss the chart paper and smelly markers! But, we have to consider what is best for them! #oldschool #imustgetwiththeprogram
ReplyDelete