Rob Bushway points to this discussion about whether computers should be used in the classroom. A ComputerWorld article says yes. A reader, Gordon J Milne, responds no.
Gordon reminds us that technology in itself isn’t the key to a good education. Agreed. He further argues that technology should be used where it’s useful. Agreed again.
I don’t believe Gordon is arguing that computers should not be used at all in schools. After all, most Universities and more and more K-12 schools have computerized library catalogs. Likewise, most schools have computer labs or shared computer resources already. I imagine he’d agree that all of this is fine.
In fact, I bet he’d agree that most schools allow their students to type their papers on home or school computers, do research on the Net, create presentations using PowerPoint (or similar), and so on. The reality is that almost all kids today have grown up in a world where they only know about cell phones, the Internet and PCs.
The question them becomes: Should schools take the next step and encourage or design classroom programs where students use the computers in the classroom?
Gordon’s concerns are well timed. It’s now that schools are placing their toes in the digital classroom. Is it a waste of money? Could resources be better leveraged by sticking with the analog world for the classroom and allowing or encouraging students to go digital outside of it? In this case, Gordon encourages students to learn with paper and pencil. If I read his comments correctly, he doesn’t mind if someone uses a Tablet PC, but just don’t require them in a classroom nor build programs around them. The implication is: Prove that Tablets will provide efficiencies first. I think people can already. The question is will it be cost effective-slash-practical.
First, from the teacher’s perspective, if a teacher can author and distribute homework assignments digitally without having to print/photocopy their work I imagine they’ll save time. If they can grade papers digitally they may not be saving time, but they’ll probably be saving hassles of carrying papers around. If they’re ready to grade papers, they simply download the work from a classroom site. When they are done, they upload the content. Likewise, when it’s time to submit grades, that too can all be done digitally–which for many teachers it already is. A Tablet PC also offers additional options for annotating assignments by hand, not just with typed text. Just think how difficult it might be to grade a math assignment only using a keyboard and a mouse. Similarly, teachers can use a Tablet to present their classroom material, mark it up as they go along, work through problems, and so on and all along record everything via Camtasia or a similar program that can be made available to students later to review. As a student, can you imagine how wonderful it would be to be able to go back to a class presentation and go over again and again what a teacher said while explaining a topic?
OK, so hopefully this illustrates some of the value for Tablets (and to a slightly lesser degree, any connected laptop) for teachers. What about students? Why have all students in a classroom use a computer?
First, improved communication. At a fundamental level, students can get assignments on demand, upload their work when they’re ready, or receive real-time or recorded versions of the class notes. I imagine teachers could also leverage IM and email, if they wanted. I also can see students working collaboratively as they explore problems and work through assignments together. Using digital sharing techniques in let’s say OneNote, students can share their notes in real-time. And realize, these digital notes are not only shareable, but easily searchable.
A second area where Tablets makes sense is that they foster personal expression. Yes, paper does just fine here, but again Tablets bring the freeform, expressive power of paper and pen together with the digital world. Want to explore music theory? Hand compose a score using the free Microsoft Music Composition Tool. Want to practice painting without the mess or expense of acrylics? Try ArtRage. Want to sketch out a physics experiment or field observations or math problems or brainstorm an idea or plan a school float? All of these are readily done with a Tablet and have all the benefits of being digital.
Finally, I don’t think it’s possible to convince Gordon with words only that Tablet PCs make sense in the classroom. Like a lot of people he’d like to see some proof first. It’s going to take some early adopters to show how it’s done. The Wellington school looks to be one.
Question is, would you like to be a student in that pilot class project?
