Reflection Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology Chapter 6

After reading this chapter I think on way my thinking has changed was in some of the issues of the current education system. It was really interesting to read about how some of the qualities of the era of apprenticeship are coming back in the lifelong learner era. I think that one of the biggest areas was how each student/apprentices education is put at the correct pace by the instructor and individualized for their needs. In the apprentice era this was done by the master that was training them. In the lifelong learner era the parallel seemed to be that with technology students could choose what best fits their learning style and they are continuously monitored and guided as they learn by whatever software or tool that is being used. One of the themes that I think has been expressed over and over in this book is the moving of educators from a position of passing down knowledge to one more likened to of being a coach for a student, providing guidance and direction as it is needed. However, it is not totally moving toward just being the motivator, there is also the idea of giving the students the tools they need to engage in their own learning.

I think how I will use this new thinking in my future as an educator is that I will try to use some of the best qualities of all eras in my classroom. I won’t be able to have so few students as in the apprenticeship era, but I will try to develop some of those tight relationships with my students as to know how they learn best and how to move at a pace that is appropriate for them.