Week one Reflection

Reflection
Week One
As reflect on the readings from this week, I was particularly intrigued by the writings of Postman.
“One of the principal functions of school is to teach children how to behave in groups. The reason for this that you cannot have a democratic, indeed, civilized, community life unless people have learned how to participate in a disciplined way as part of a group. School has never been about individualized learning. It has always been about how to learn and how to behave as part of a community…..one of the ways this is done is through the communication of what is known as social values.”
If we support the position of Postman, we can conclude that the infusing of technology in our school system has eclipsed the original purpose of education. One could argue that the advancement of society cannot occur without simultaneously advancing technology.
I have to admit I enjoy many of the luxuries and conveniences which advanced technology has afforded me. Examples include my cell phone or the Internet for research, paying bills or cyber communication. I do understand the position which Postman articulates where it appears that at the rate of technology, we might indeed replace traditional schools with technology based instruction. I marvel at the ability to attend school online largely because of my busy schedule and other barriers which make communicating to campus a bit cumbersome.

Reigeluth makes distintions between the industrial age and information age through the application of key markers. As a sped professional, I believe teachers have the capacity to not only reform society but to cultivate an understanding among our students that radical change of schools and education is necessary to change the world. I am of the belief that purpose of education is to make a difference in the lives of people on a local, national, and international scale.

Schools are in a unique position to identify major moral, social, economic, and educational problems which contribute to the transformation of our educational system. The paradigm shift explored by Reigeluth should include community-based learning and bring the world into the classroom. As educators we have to embrace the task to reconstruct society by utilizing new technology and scientific developments with the useful elements of the culture. Schools are considered the most powerful and influential agents of change. Critically analyzing the key markers described by Reigeluth can only result in a pedagogy of liberation. Through this liberation, educational communities will become more literate, learn specific technical skills, share common interests and solve common problems.