The Purpose ofThe Purpose ofEducational TechnologyEducational Technology

Larry Harmon

CECS 5800

August 5, 2000

What is Technology?What is Technology?

Origins: Greek technologica meaning systematic treatment.

“It is a means to an end; it is a human activity.” (Norton, 1998)

Perhaps no greater technological tool exists than the question.

Technology as Art Technology as History

The Purposes of TechnologyThe Purposes of Technology

Three Narratives

Economic Utility

Problem-Solving

Democratic Ethos

Economic UtilityEconomic Utility

The purpose of schooling is to prepare children for competent entry into the economic life of a community. It follows from this that any school activity not designed to further this end is seen as a frill or an ornament – a waste of valuable time.

Neil Postman (1995)

Economic UtilityEconomic Utility

If you will pay attention in school, and do your homework, and score well on tests, and behave yourself, you will be rewarded with a well-paying job when you are done.

Neil Postman (1995)

Problem - SolvingProblem - Solving

If the generic benefit of technology is problem solving, its sets up a perspective of life as a set of problems; it establishes a psychology that is negative rather than optimistic and potentially feeds youthful cynicism and alienation.

William Pretzer (1997)

Problem - SolvingProblem - Solving

Further, it implies that technology can solve all problems – though war, famine, and racism still plague civilizations today.

William Pretzer (1997)

A Democratic EthosA Democratic Ethos

Can a society be formed, maintained, and improved on the principle of continuous argumentation?

Neil Postman (1995)

Democratic EthosDemocratic Ethos

The ethos rests upon the values of: Justice Honesty Self-discipline Due process Majority rule with respect for

individual liberties.

Democratic EthosDemocratic Ethos

This narrative provides youth with the knowledge and will to participate in the great experiment, to teach them how to argue, and to help them discover what questions are worth arguing about, and to make sure they know what happens when arguments cease. No one is excluded from the story.

Method of AnalysisMethod of Analysis

Macro: The efforts of nation-states

Meso: The efforts of Non-Governmental Organizations

Micro: Curricular Efforts

Macro - AnalysisMacro - Analysis

United StatesGreat BritainAustralia

United StatesUnited States

U.S. Department of Education. (1996). Getting America’s students ready for the 21st century: meeting the technology literacy challenge

An alarm based upon economic utility

Great BritainGreat Britain

The National Curriculum (1990)– Technology presented as

trade/vocational education– classroom practice is driven by national

tests used to measure student and program success.

AustraliaAustralia

Technology moving away from British model toward the American model.

Rationales/practices in Western Australia approach inquiry-based, multi-disciplinary designs.

Meso - AnalysisMeso - Analysis

International Technology Organizations

International Baccalaureate

International OrganizationsInternational Organizations

Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education

International Society for Technology Education

International Technology Education Association

Technology Journal Analysis, 1997-2000Technology Journal Analysis, 1997-2000

Internationalism

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

JTE JTTE JRCE

Journal

ISTE StandardsISTE Standards

Teacher standards: described as professional behaviors as opposed to student outcomes.

Student standards: skill-based not concept-based

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International BaccalaurateInternational Baccalaurate

MissionRigorous, intellectual courseworkCurriculum inquiry-based and

infused with learner choiceEmphasis on international

understanding and responsible citizenship.

Micro – ITGSMicro – ITGS

The Portfolio

Four pieces focusing on the social significance of IT and the ethical considerations arising from IT

Micro – ITGSMicro – ITGS

The ProjectEmphasizes solving a contemporary

problem through technological means.

Process: collaborative research, test/retest solutions, keeping project log for reflective exercises.

ConclusionConclusion

Macro: Nations Economic Utility

Meso: NGOs Problem-Solving

Micro: Integrated Curriculum Efforts

Democratic Ethos

Level of Analysis Narrative

The Role ofThe Role ofInternationalism inInternationalism in

Educational TechnologyEducational Technology

Larry Harmon

CECS 5800

August 5, 2000