As part of my ETEC 533 course, which focuses on technology in the science and math classroom, we were given a list of metaphors and descriptors used to define technology. From these descriptions we were asked to identify which we identify with most and why.
Context and References
I have included some brief summaries from the course materials below to add context.
[slider title=”Roblyer (2004)”]Roblyer, M.D. (2004). Integrating educational technology into teaching, 3rd Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/ Prentice Hall.[/slider]describes technology as technology is us -our tools, our methods, and our own creative attempts to solve problems in our environment.
[slider title=”Muffoletto (1994)”]Muffoletto, R. (1994). Technology and restructuring education: Constructing a context. Educational Technology, 34(2), 24-28.[/slider] states that, “Technology is commonly thought of in terms of gadgets, instruments, machines, and devices…” but goes on to say that it “[I]s not a collection of machines and devices, but a way of acting.” Muffoletto (1994) states that educational technology is a combination of the processes and tools involved in addressing educational needs and problems, with an emphasis on applying the most current tools, such as computers and their related technologies.
[slider title=”Jonassen (2000)”]Jonassen, D. H. (2000). Computers as mindtools for schools, 2nd Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/ Prentice Hall. Retrieved from Google Scholar: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Jonassen+mindtools&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&btnG=Search[/slider] sees technology as a tool for students to think and learn in a meaningful way. He refers to computer applications, databases, social networks, publishing tools and communication tools as a type of Mindtool that engages the student in constructing knowledge and learning by doing.
[slider title=”Feenburg (2003)”]Feenburg, A. (2003). Questioning technology. New York, NY: Routledge.[/slider]suggests that technology is the medium of daily life in modern societies. His impression is that technology is humanly controlled and value-laden just like a social institution.
My Definition of Technology
The use of the term technology, as with most words, has changed over time. Depending on the context technology can be used to describe general knowledge or the human usage of tools to get things done. As the above references imply, many educators have tried to pinpoint what technology really means to humans and the classroom.[slider title=”Heidegger (1977)”]Heidegger, M. (1977). The Question Concerning Technology. (W. Loveitt Trans.). New York, Harper and Row. (1953).[/slider], a notable German philosopher, explored the question of technology quite thoroughly in his essays. Heidegger (1977) explained that the definition of technology has evolved from simply a means to an end to encompassing all of human activity and everything in between. As our world changes and technology continues to i
ntertwine with our existence as humans I think it become increasingly difficult to separate humans and technology in both a metaphorical and physical sense.
I have always seen technology as a tool. I think that technology is a mean to an end, it gets things done in our daily lives. This rather simple definition is fairly close to the classic anthropological view of technology as it relates a means to human activity. With this in mind I think that I most agree with Muffoletto’s (1994) description of technology stated above. In its simplest form technology is just that, a tool or gadget to get things done, but as Muffoletto (1994) states, technology goes beyond being simply a tool to being a human action. Technology is not just a “making” or a “using” but as Heidegger (1977) says, it is a revealing, an indicator of how humans interact and exist.
It is this view of technology, a combination of technology as tool and as human behaviour, that relates best to my current views and relationship with technology. In the modern world the tools we use in our daily lives, or technologies, have become increasingly important. Whether it be a stove or a social networking site we have becoming more and more reliant on using such tools to not only get things done but live our lives. With this in mind I do not think that technology is a negative thing or a crutch for humanity. Technology and mankind have co-evolved, we are intrinsically linked and the connection is reciprocal. We, as humans, endeavour to improve technology to better our lives and the more applicable it is to our lives the more we will push to develop new technologies and uses. As we do so technology will becomes entwined and connected to our daily actions, behaviours and existence.
I suppose it is this view, that technology and humanity are so connected, that drives me to use technology in my classroom and help other teachers to do the same. I have said in the past to reluctant students and fellow teachers that “technology is not going anywhere, so we best learn to use it”. Be it using a spreadsheet to chart data or a SMART Board to deliver a lesson, technology plays a huge role in the classroom and our lives.
Indeed, the educational researchers above, despite their slight differences in definition, would all agree that technology and our connection to it is a fact of humanity. As educators and learners we must try hard to see how technology can help us learn and teach, we must embrace what it can do for us and endeavour to find new creative and functional uses.