DLG+7+-+Response+to+Question+One

Question 1: What does the history of educational media and technology tell us about educational media and technology? Why does it matter?

The history of educational media and technology tells us that ET is never static. From the Youtube clips in the Prezi introduction on this site to the readings this module, we can see clearly that ET is always evolving. We are moving from presentation of content to accessing information, from receiving content to creating content. Looking at Moody's article, "The Children of Telestar," it seems to be an early harbinger of the change we are seeing in many of our own students, where students move from consumers to producers of content. Students involved in the PACE programs suggested that they "learned to value expressing themselves in a disciplined and artistic way," a sentiment shared by many students who create content in my own courses that they eventually post to Youtube and their own e-Portfolios (117). This shift also serves to disrupt the "traditional" roles of teacher and student. As ET evolves, students are empowered to take an active role in their learning. The evolution of ET has similarly changed the role of teachers. The teacher is no longer simply the "sage on the stage," teachers must instead facilitate and guide students in education. Students value the ability to contribute to the ever-changing nature of ET, and I think ET will continue to change and morph to meet the demands of its users. As the new generations of digital natives emerge and begin demanding more from the technologies they use, I suspect that the evolution of ET will become even more rapid. (Keely)