This chapter started out seeming like it was adding to the technology enthusiast’s argument. The authors stated that there is a transformation happening that is allowing technology to come into our schools. They also say that this transformation is not unique in our history. Way back in the day it was the parent’s job to teach children, there was no such thing as going to school for some families. The way many people became good at something was by becoming an apprentice to someone. They observed and worked with a certain person, learned their trade and eventually passed on their learned knowledge to a new apprentice. The question that the chapter is focusing on is why the transformation from apprenticeship to universal schooling took place and how it developed over time. The book says that this occurred because of a chain of events beginning with the printing press.
The printing press led to widespread development and diffusion of knowledge. This was a critical tool in the development of science, and writing. Then the protestant reformation happened. When the bible was converted to many different languages many people could connect and communicate on a similar topic. Then the American Revolution became the next link in the education chain. The forefathers of this country wanted its citizens to have to opportunity to have schooling and fought for this goal. Finally the industrial revolution occurred. This allotted for universal schooling all throughout the country. This signaled the shift that occurred in education, from a family responsibility to a state one.
After the chain of schooling evolutionary events this chapter goes on to talk about some key things that went on in schooling after the industrial revolution. They talk about beginning education for small children in 1856, about establishing a physical organization of school in 1910. These changes led to hiring professional class leaders and teachers to develop and maintain bureaucratic measurement of production to see if it is right according to specifications.
The chapter ended by talking about the problems that the transformation caused. Now that schooling was set up schools and administrators had to come to a consensus on a number of issues. These included attendance practices, tests, grades, textbooks, and levels of schools such as high school.
These readings helped me realize that the schooling system has come a long way, and that we are fortunate to be living in the time that we are because the way that we are being taught right now was nonexistent just 100 years ago. Many events were so very crucial to the development of schooling such as the printing press. Had they not happened I don’t know how we would be taught today. I really liked this chapter because I am a huge history buff. However, this reading does not change my view on technology’s role in education too much. What I believe this chapter was showing was that throughout history there have been tools coming out that were considered technology. (Such as the printing press.) These tools helped us become who we are today, and technology is continuing to evolve all around us. It is our job to ensure our futures success by not allowing technology to be stopped.
As a future teacher I will try and remind my students of the history of education and how technology played a crucial role in where we are today. Hopefully they will realize that their lives would be way different had certain events occurred that allowed our schooling system to evolve the way that it did.
No comments:
Post a Comment