Chapters 2 and 3 of Rethinking Education in the Classroom

These two chapters talk about the many opportunities technology can create for education in the classroom. Chapter 2 focuses mostly on the Enthusiast's argument. This includes how technology in education is changing every aspect of the way we learn. It affects reading, reflection of our own work, the rate at which we learn a subject, the social interaction we have and much more. Technology makes work more accessible to the common person. It allows us to meet communities all around the world to share experiences and culture. Education is no longer just shared locally but globally as well. Chapter 2 also talks about the way teaching outside of the world of technology has become very "Just in time" types of learning, in that there is no ease in to what we are expecting students to learn. We give them the big picture right away before explaining how we get there, or what is needed to learn the basics first. With technology however, we are able to give students those steps that they need. Technology creates more time and online learning by letting students work at their own pace. Scaffolding is now available due to trouble shooting guides to aid a student's help if the teacher or lesson is going too fast. This can also even be learned through multimedia and video games where not everything is presented right away and the player needs to ask questions or explore to finish the main adventure.

Chapter 3 talks about the Skeptics' Argument. It talks about why teachers are afraid of technology. Why this change can sometimes be harder before it is easier. It explains the barriers schools face such as cost and access or classroom management. It brings up important aspects that make it hard to classrooms to experience the new ideas of technology. It also reminds us that computers can only do so much and that it is ultimately the teacher's job to make the most out of technology and the changing society of education. And while this is true, I think as a teacher, it is our job to work to use technology to make the most and make the most engaging and most filled lesson plans and classroom environments we can.