HOW MY TASK DIFFERED FROM OTHERS IN G11
Since I am taking Psychology 409a distantly from Kauai, I was unable to give an oral presentation in class. So, as a replacement, I requested that a topic thread be set up so that my class could read my written presentation and then ask questions or comment in Web Crossing. What is great about my contribution to this Oral Report assignment was that I requested to do "Esther Dyson on Education". I am currently completing my psychology degree "distantly" so it was good to give my insight on how it works, what the pro's and con's are, and try to persuade my audience that it isn't a sole choice for education, but it is sure a good alternative if you want to incorporate higher education while you do other things necessary in life concurrently. My report "Dyson on Education: Eguchi's review" doesn't talk too much about college education, but it focuses on using technology for high school level as well as education in general. The concepts of education are basically the same when we talk about "mediums" in which our children wil be learning (i.e. computers vs. classroom, email vs. letters or phone calls, traditional encyclopedia vs. CD-Rom Encyclopedia, etc.).
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS TO MY REPORT
Our class forum discussions takes place in Web Crossing. We have the freedom to post to the topic threads that we want. My topic thread wasn't treated in any special way so my classmates weren't required to post there. What I did was I sent an email message to the class asking them to read my report and comment if they had time. I had very few responses. I waited until the very last minute to complete this report (Oral Report Part 2) because I wanted to include all responses to my report. Unfortunately, I ended up having just three postings. I have the same responsibilty to post comments in Web Crossing and I would like to guess that my report had few postings because my topic thread consisted of a whole report versus just a brief statement? Thank you very much to Jason Thompson who posted twice and to Synthia Lopes who gave me the questions that I will answer in this report. Mahalo!
Jason Thompson - 12:48pm Mar 31, 1999 HST (#2 of 3) After reading the summary of chapter four,I was presented with many arguments on how education and technology is important for all. It will be mandatory in the next few decades to have some knowledge of the internet and technology that revolves around it. I just feel that one of the major problems of technology is the price and the amount of money legislaters make available to schools to access this technology.
My response to Jason's question:
I am glad that Jason re-emphasized the importance of having knowledge of the internet and technology when thinking of education. I think it will definitely be mandatory because everything will utilize some sort of technology. Today parents call a hotline to access a message that contains their child's homework assignment for the day; teachers and parents communicate via email; the cafeteria utilizes scanners to scan meal cards; children are using "paint" programs for art designs--something that never existed before. These are just a few simple uses of technology that amongst the many others.
The big factor--Money! Jason believes that money will be a concern. I think so too because with the problems many schools are having with funding, I think what schools are doing are independently finding their own money or raising their own money to purchase educational tools. It boils down to community support because ultimately, fund-rasing is money that the community invests or contributes. Technology is new, but what is even more critical in obtaining technological resources are the awareness of parents and the community of the reasons why help is needed. Group efforts are always much easier and much more successful. Hopefully we can all spread awareness of "helping" while we spread awareness of technology.
Synthia Lopez - 11:50pm Apr 15, 1999 HST (#3 of 3) I think that her review of Dyson's perspectives on the Internet is thorough. Dyson has a favorable view of the Internet and Ms. Eguchi seems to agree with the limitless possibilities of the Internet. Ms. Eguchi makes a few points about education and wisdom that I agreed with: knowledge has to be internalized, useful, and then applied to a person's life in order for it to become wisdom. I think that many of us at the college level are experiencing apprehensive feelings about the Internet because we feel like we are far behind many children who know more than we do and we have to catch up (plus learn current technology). This is what makes the Internet a bit scary and a bit exciting too. I think the reservations that Ms. Eguchi has are normal because they come from the shifts we are all making in our worldviews and approaches to work, education, and socialization.
My first question is: Do you think the Internet or other technology will eventually allow more opportunities for people who have technical skills rather than interpersonal skills? or will it balance out?
My second question is: How has your educational experience been affected by the Internet--Do you feel like your getting a better/worse/same experience by only interacting with instructors and classmates through the Internet?
My response to Synthia's first question:
Synthia asks: Do you think the Internet or other technology will eventually allow more opportunities for people who have technical skills rather than interpersonal skills? or will it balance out? It is hard for me to answer for others, but I definitely think that those who are up with technology naturally have an advantage over those who don't. I think today in the work force, technical skills are essential if not a given requirement. I think having technical and interpersonal skills are critical regardless if you work in real life or online. Don't you think that your writing can definitely display your character? I think so. I don't think you have much more finess, grace, tact, talent just because you aren't face to face with someone. I think if you have all of those qualities when you speak then when you express yourself online through writing, you sound just the same or even better.
My response to Synthia's second question:
She asks: How has your educational experience been affected by the Internet--Do you feel like your getting a better/worse/same experience by only interacting with instructors and classmates through the Internet? To respond to this question, the internet has definitely affected my educational experience, but only in regards to opportunity to be able to complete my education. I would be biased to say whether or not interaction is better or worse when comparing internet interactions versus in class and face to face. I have become a distant student in the last two semesters of my education and only to fulfill a psychology requirement. I have experienced in-class (traditional) learning so I know the differences (facial expressions, intonation, anxiety of speaking infront of a huge lecture class, doing group work and feeling the "real" adversities by classmates, etc.). This kind of experience can never be taken away from you.
I don't think though that we should undermine the experiences one has when interacting through the internet. I have not met any of my classmates for this very class that I am writing this report for, but somehow, I feel like I know my classmates just through reading their work and by keeping in touch via email (that says a lot about how our writing or preferences can portray our personalities). To be honest, I think I am getting a different type of educational experience by utilizing the internet, but for many reasons, it is extraordinary, incredible, fascinating, "sign of the times", most of all, it is a luxury! I will definitely be looking into a Master's degree. Why not rise to the occasion and take advantage of opportunities when they are presented to us? I suggest that we all start utilizing technology as much as we criticize it! Just do it...find your resources and go for your goals!
Jason Thompson - 02:36pm Apr 22, 1999 HST (#4 of 4)
To answer synthia lopez, I feel that the prevalence of technology will never outweigh or replace the need for and opportunities for those who who have interpersonal skills. Eventually everyone will have computer cams built into their computers. I think ones educational experience can be broadened but also limited by only internet interactions.
My response to Jason:
To build on how Jason responds to Synthia, I think technology will become even more advances. Yes, those cams will definitely make online schooling much broader and much more "real" if you will. We need to keep up with innovations. Possibilities are endless. We just need to individually do what is best for ourselves because this avenue might not be feasible for everyone. Remember though...it is an alternative to what we currently have.
WHAT OTHER STUDENTS IN G11 HAVE DONE
Here I have provided links to those in my class who have done reports on education.
Craig Kawamura: Distance Education
Valerie Iinuma: Technology & Education
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
I think what would be good for future generations builing on this topic is finding "new" information on education and write on how things are changing. By Generation 12, more people will be using the internet for their education and more ways of using the internet will become available. Compare how methods are changing and try to get views from people who have successfully completing some type of education via the internet. I will be one who had graduated by then.
NAVIGATION:
My G11 Home Page
|Mining the Generational Curriculum
|Following Newsgroups
|Review on Dyson's Chapter 4
|My Report 1
|My Report 2
|Icons Folder
|G11 Class Home Page
|Dr. James Home Page
|E-mail Cherisse