e-Learning Philosophies of Technology & Teaching

In Heather Kanuka's article, "Understanding e-Learning Techologies-in-Practice Through Philosophies-in-Practice" we are initially asked "Why is understanding our Philosophies important?" It IS important that we know the why and how of what it is we believe the role of technology plays in education. Kanuka continues in her introduction by stating "many educators’ philosophies are often unrecognized and rarely expressed." 

I sometimes wonder, are educators simply using technology for the sake of using technology, or do they have a clearly defined plan to understand why it should be used. Draper,Elias, and Merriam seem to reinforce this idea when they said "too often educators are concerned with what to do with e-learning technologies without examining sufficiently why they should do it"  So, these technology and teaching philosophies are important, something I have not really thought too much about. I would say I have pretty much viewed the use of technology in e-learning with a "can't see the forest for the trees" mentality at times myself. 

TECHNOLOGY PHILOSOPHY

Of the three technology philosophies discussed, I really believe I fall into a somewhat hybrid of Uses Determinism and Social Determinism. While I agree that technology is a tool and delivers instruction, I do not necessarily agree that student achievement is not influenced. I know from my own experience, that much of what I retain, is greatly in part, due to the means in which it was delivered. I may not care for the material, but if it is presented in a way that I connect with, the odds are greater that I will retain that data. The Social Determinism viewpoint is that technology is socially embedded into our lives. For the most part, I believe that this is true, especially when you consider how pervasive social networking is. There always seems to be new and better ways to connect with one another and make the world an even smaller place.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Kanuka presents six teaching philosophies. Of those, I most relate to the Progressive and Humanist. Both philosophies focus on the personal and individual growth while also being able to collaborate with peers.

Holly Grimm's website  on this reading does a great job of presenting these Technology/Teaching Philosophies and she asks us " What experiences have you had that shape the way you view education" After thinking about this for a bit, I was struck by how much change I have seen in my life, not only in education, but in the overall technologies that have evolved since I was a young student many years ago. My children quite often like to jokingly ask if I used stone tablets to read when I was in school. I am struck as I sit here composing my thoughts on a laptop that only a few year back (in my mind) that this "taken for granted" way of communicating, creating, and learning, was unimaginable when you consider computer access to everyone was impossible let alone something you could hold in your hands. Conversely, I also find that while have enjoyed the many opportunities that technology has provided (such as online learning) at times, it can be a bit of "information overload." To sum up this thought, being able to connect to the world easily, has really had a profound impact on my views on education. Were it not for the availbility of e-Learning, I, along with many others would possibly never have the opportunity to further their education on many levels……and I find that exciting.