July 14 - morning

[joann chen]

I like what Julie M. said this morning that we can consider using tech as another way to teach students. I also have been wondering if incorporating tech into teaching or counseling is better. Yes, one of the advantages of tech is helping speed up process, like what Paul mentioned, a teacher or peers can respond to student's work faster. Then, my question will be: Is a faster process usually better? Doesn't that some aspects of life just need time? Why organic food become pupolar now? Isn't because we finally realize that natural growth is better than any kind of unnatural growth? Tech has benefited our life so much and I can't imagine to live without any tech around. Will our education go into such a stage that without the aid of tech students just have no interest and motivation to learn?

How am I going to balance the tech and interaction of face-to-face contact? For now, since the tech facilities are not fully available, I don't have to worry about it. But, I do want to prepare myself and welcome the new phase of incorporation of tech in the realm of education. Oh well, will I see that happen before I retire?

[Julie]

Especially with counseling, online communication will NEVER replace the important, vital role of face-to-face, one-on-one interaction. We can never underestimate the importance of looking into another's eyes, reading their body language, deriving comfort from their presence. But maybe the question is how can technology support the role of counseling? Can making an online space for students to write their thoughts/feelings and communicate even when they're not in a session with you help them to be more articulate about their goals and feelings when they ARE with you, face to face? I wonder.

[Julie Miele]

I think you're asking some extremely important questions here, Joann. I'm hearing your resistance and really empathizing with it as well. I tend to feel the same way, and as I mentioned on day one, I'm taking this class for the same reason you are: to get on board and see what's out there. But I agree with you: faster, more accessible, more popular, more comfortable for kids is not always better. Although I support using technology to reach kids, to meet them where they are (and because I recognize and appreciate is as a very important literacy in and of itself); I do also wonder what is lost. There's something really important about face-to-face interactions, about the skill of using a pen and paper, about creating something hand-made and tangible like the artpiece Margaret mentioned this morning.

But like Julie C mentioned this morning, one does not have to replace the other. It's a matter of choice and appropriateness, and if you're feeling that what kids need when they come to you is face-to-face time, that I might encourage you to follow your gut. But I commend you for going out of your comfort zone here and learning all this new stuff in the hopes of helping your kids. That's really wonderful.

[Beth]

I think as Julie C. said this morning, the most important thing to do when deciding whether or not to use technology is to do a pro/con list of what would be the advantages and disadvantages of using technology for the goal you want to reach. I certainly don't think technology is always the best way to accomplish our goals, but sometimes it can be, and I think that seriously reflecting on whether or not it will be a good match for our purposes is key.

[karen levy]

I think that I'm resistant to figuring out the best way to incorporate technology and not lose out on the social contact of my students. I know there are so many benefits to using technology that I do want to use it more. I still think that students will learn without the technology but they shouldn't have to because its part of our world.