Monday, March 11, 2013

Proposal



Dear Megan,

I have always been interested in technology and how it being in schools affects students. I want to know how technology has changed what students learn and different methods they use now. I have some theories as to what technology has done to students and I look forward to researching more on it. One thing that I want to find is how technology has effected standardize test scores. I want to know if SAT and ACT scores have gone up or down due to the avenues technology has allowed us to use. I want to see if technology has “dumbed” down students. I know that English and language arts have suffered due to computers and the advances of word processing programs. I would like to see facts and statistics regarding student’s English abilities from today’s students and from students of the early 90’s.
            Moving past the English topic I want to then look at other subjects. I want to look into digital dissections and whether or not they truly give the student the same experience as a hand on demonstration. When it comes to subjects like math, I want to know how graphing calculators and smart boards have changed what and how teachers are teaching. How did students in the 80’s and 90’s solve derivatives and integrals without the calculators of today? I know that I was never taught how to solve these by hand and to rely solely on my TI-89. I know that it hindered my ability to expand my critical thinking abilities and I want to know how it affected other students of today.  
            When I start my inquiry project I want to start off with a simple search. I will search for technology in schools and what impact it has had in student development. I am not taking a side in this, I want to see the pros and the cons and just be able to bear witness to the information. I really want to see how technology has improved my generation of students but also want to know what our shortcomings are and pitfalls due to the technology we take for granted.
            I will possibly look at other developing nations that have a strong educational system and see how they are taught without all of the technology we have. I know that there are other countries that have education system that rival, and some surpass that of the United States. I want to understand the how and why, not just the who and where.
            I plan on starting my research at the library by gathering books, and articles written by experts in the education field. I then plan on compiling the data in to two or three categories and then I will start to draw my own conclusions.  
            Overall, my question is simple, How has technology affected, in both a positive and negative way, the development of students in today’s society?

Sincerely,
            Joshua Antonious
            

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