Week 1 Reflections

Two shifts from Reigeluth’s article really resonated with me. The first, “focus from presenting material to making sure that learners’ needs are met” is apparent in the developmental math students I teach and tutor at Baker College of Jackson. These developmental math (and English) courses require to achieve a specific level of mastery of the content in order to receive a passing grade. Like the suggested “hold[ing] achievement constant at a mastery level”, I feel the number of dev ed students would significantly decrease if they weren’t pushed through the K-12 system and given passing grades in math classes when they have not mastered the content. The second, “passive to active learning”, is a primary focus of dev ed instruction and tutoring. In math dev ed courses, we utilize MyMathLab. Many non-traditional students and outsiders may say that this is less personal for the students, easier on the instructors, and not as effective as old methods. What a lot of those people fail to understand is that MyMathLab and most other technologies are used as supplements to enhance the students’ learning experience. For example, MyMathLab provides instant feedback, exercise resources, and a variety of multimedia. Students are already on their computers on facebook, MySpace, or Twitter; why not a homework Web site, too? Reigeluth’s statement “society is undergoing massive changes...” says it all. 21st century students are different and educational strategies must be adapted to accommodate them.

I started reading Postman’s article with Dr. Horvitz’s forewarning of the nature of the article in mind. This is the second article of Postman’s I’ve read and I don’t think I particularly enjoy his style of writing. First, I don’t understand the reference to Luddites; his other article had a similar, odd opening that I found displeasing. Maybe I am too used to more straight-forward and technical articles. Second, his primary theme of both his Honda story and technology in schools, “what is the problem...” was a problem in itself for me. I don’t think that there needs to be a specific problem in order for an improvement or advancement to be made. For example, I re-do things at work every now and then not because there was a problem with them, but because I can make the things better. To me, the challenge and constant push to improve things is what drives me. I often lose interest and feel like my work is worthless when I get bored and quit trying to make things better. Lastly, his comment that “information has become a form of garbage” is upsetting. I immediately thought of the Bing ads (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIxfk3hS0uU) and their campaign of “search overload syndrome”. I think technology does give us greater and easier access to information, but it is up to schools, parents, etc. to instruct students and children on how specifically to use the information. Some may diagnose themselves as sufferers of search overload syndrome; I look at it as a challenge, a scavenger hunt, an opportunity to learn more, and a great way to improve trouble-shooting and critical thinking skills.