A new report, and I stress “A”, demonstrates that not ALL money spent on education is good money spent on education:
Laptops may actually hinder students ability to learn, providing a distraction and even affecting students sitting near their owners, according to a stunning new Canadian report.
With laptops and tablet computers pervading the modern classroom, the report suggests that paper and pencil might be less distracting overall.
“We really didn’t think the effects would be this huge,” explained McMaster University researcher Faria Sana, who co-authored the study with fellow doctoral student Tina Weston. “It can change your grade from a B+ to a B-.”
If true, this would be an example where a reduction in an education budget is actually a good thing.
It is true that increased funding makes it easier to provide engaging lessons for the students, but just pouring in more money is not the answer. As a bee keeper, you could plant 20 acres of dandelions to provide a rich source of pollen for your bees in the early spring. You could do that, but is it a cost effective strategy? Is it a sustainable long term business plan?
For nine months of the year, I am in the classroom, so I see how teenagers use technology. They expect the machine to “do” the work. They expect it to make everything perfect, and they foolishly believe that success will come to them if they select the right font for the document. I try to show the students that the computer is a tool. A tool with endless capabilities. Some “get it” and take full advantage of the benefits that the technology can offer, but most are unprepared to dig deep and struggle through the learning process.
We all like things to be easy. I understand that, and I understand that students want to take the easy route. The problem is that students today are so programmed into taking the easy path that they never want to really work at anything. If our clients, the students, are unwilling to work and take responsibility for their own education, then more money will never correct the problem.
but just pouring in more money is not the answer.
I agree completely. And that is a problem that we have.
The problem is that students today are so programmed into taking the easy path that they never want to really work at anything. If our clients, the students, are unwilling to work and take responsibility for their own education, then more money will never correct the problem.
This is where Master Teachers are critical. Technology is a powerful tool, but not the end all be all answer.