Differentiation through Technology- Video
How do educators balance between standardization and individualization? How do we serve the class while focusing our teaching on individual students? It is an educational paradox. How can two dichotomous directives converge? Do we plan and execute daily lessons? Yes. Do we also use videos and PowerPoints and other technologies to enhance interactions so that each student has the best chance to understand the content we are presenting? Yes.
With all of this being said, I think there are more fundamental questions that need to be addressed: “What’s the point of education and what do we want the student to learn?”
Allow me to explain.
Although I believe that the educational system should work towards meeting each child’s educational needs, there should also be a natural stretch from the student as well. Let’s take the idea of individualization to the extreme. Each student gets the information exactly how they need it, not too hot and not too cold, juuust right. If this is what we want, the question then becomes, “How well would the student perform outside of the four walls of the school where learning opportunities and life lessons are not catered to their learning style?” Here is the larger question as I see it: “What is the student learning?” If they are ONLY learning Math, then let’s cater to the extreme with eye tracking software and verbal interaction applications as Jonassen presents. If students are learning perseverance, inter-social disciplines, and real-life preparation WHILE they are learning Math, then perhaps too much individualization could be a bad thing.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks for watching.
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