How much does infrastructure impact on learning?

Can the computer set up of classroom suggest how the kids will learn? Can a good teacher still be a good teacher with 2 desktops vs a bank on laptops in their room? Does platform matter?
Many questions going around my head. Any thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on September 27, 2008 at 4:52pm

Agree and the technology will not always make the lesson better. I've been harping on this for several years at this space and others. Sometimes I'll read articles about the technology with no mention of thinking, teaching, content, knowledge, or learning!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Conselatore on September 27, 2008 at 6:10pm

I agree with both of you regarding quality of teaching being the ultimate key in the classroom. However, the difference in possibilities and the gap in rapid knowledge acquisition for students who have more technology access and those that do not is tremendous. The students benefitting from a strong teacher without technology being used in the classroom will not have the same qualitative learning experience as students benefitting from a strong teacher with access to technology and making wise use of it. Not even close.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on September 27, 2008 at 7:02pm

You may be right, too bad there are so many roadblocks for the average every day teachers. Time, scripted curriculum, highstakes testing, NCLB, unsupportive admin, etc etc. I have been using technology in the classroom for over 20 years. I made the choice to overcome a lot of obstacles---time being the main one. There have been years where I've spent 40-50 hours a week outside of school working on computer. A lot of teachers can't do that---

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Permalink Reply by Helen Otway on September 27, 2008 at 7:06pm

Lisa,
These are my thoughts too. If learning is going to be relevant and rich for kids today then integration of technology needs to be a seamless tool not an add on.
Schools are rethinking how they network a school with computers and other technologies. This rethink is happening due to a realisation that how the learning spaces are created can make a difference to learning.