Conrad Wolfram's TED Talk addresses the problems with decreasing math proficiency in schools today and suggests that the cure to the problem is to use computers to teach math. He claims that schools put too much emphasis on calculating by hand. He says that computers were created to do calculations and that doing hand calculations is an ancient subject. His argument is that in the real world engineers and others use computers to do mathematical calculations.
We should be teaching students to do things they way they are done in real life. They need to learn skills that they will utilize in their future lives. As Wolfram says, the best way to solve a problem is to use the right tool for the job. I think what he says about math can apply to any subject. When teaching writing, whether it be creative or persuasive writing, why make kids use paper and pen instead of using a computer. When they get out of school, if they get a job working in an environment where communication is done by computer, they are going to need to be able to communicate electronically, and I don't mean via texting. Computers can do the menial tasks, like spell checking, so that the students can focus on the task of formulating their ideas and getting their point across to the reader. With applications like Dragon, Kurzweil, or Text Help, students can work on getting to the point of their writing, rather than the mechanics of spelling the words.
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Yes, these are assistive technologies, but some people need assistance. I like to compare the use of technology to assist people with difficulties to wearing glasses to see. Would you say that the person wearing glasses has an advantage or is cheating? Maybe in Ben Franklin's day that might have been the discussion, but we are living in the 21st century now.
The same could be said for social studies, or science or economics. Why learn about other countries from a book, when you could connect and collaborate with students from another country via Skype? There are lots of sites with economic information (like the US Debt Clock) or science simulations. This is authentic learning!
References:
Wolfram, C. (2010, July). Conrad Wolfram: Teaching kids real math with computers | Video on TED.com. TED: Ideas worth spreading. Retrieved October 2, 2013, from http://www.ted.com/talks/conrad_wolfram
I enjoyed reading your post. Bad especially like how you quoted Wolfram when he said "best way to solve a problem is to use the right tool for the job." You no longer see people handwrite copies of books, people using telegraph lines to send messages, or people traveling from city to city by horse and chariot. Likewise, why are we not using the tools that are available for our student to use, not to make math and other subject easier, but to learn about them more efficiently? As technology progresses older methods and tools are phased out. I also like how you stated "computers can do the menial tasks, like spell checking, so that the students can focus on the task of formulating their ideas and getting their point across to the reader." I found this to really be the gist of Wolfram's speech.
ReplyDeleteNice post Cindy.
ReplyDeleteAs a construction tech teacher I also see using Conrad Wolfram's take on integrating technology. For example; using wikispace for student sharing. Using my team leaders that are often seniors to post their projects and share with up coming students. The intent is to advance students so this allows for more lab and class time to move onto new and more advanced projects. All students would be responsible for owning their learning and passing on through the use of the wikispace, much like “real world” corporations that maintain records for institutional memory.
Have a great weekend.
Jason
Jason, Great example of teaching a skill that will carry over to job skills! I used to work for HP and did collaborate a lot electronically with people across the globe, via email or teleconferencing applications like GotoMeeting. Presenters could share presentations electronically and participants could interact. I even did a web con from home on my work PC with a site in Japan back in 2001 :) Now I do the same thing in educational webinars, and using wikis and Google Docs and Google Hangouts. It's so great that technology has come so far and has been integrated into the schools. Now we need to teach it to the students, as you are.
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ReplyDelete"The right tool, for the right job." Such a great quote. We used that all the time when I worked as a mechanical engineer technician. We always seemed to be missing the "right tool" so we would have to problem solve and innovate like MacGyver. In the technology world, the right tool is usually a few clicks away. If a tool can make a job easier why not use it?
ReplyDeleteOh boy... that US Debt Clock. I showed my daughter that (she's taking Civics this term.) I liked your list of tools i.e. Dragon, Kurzweil, or Text Help. Great suggestions.
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