Podcast Reflection #6: Ed Tech Talk

In the Ed Tech Talk podcast the hosts discussed a site where people can go on and write a 500 word essay concerning the purpose of education. I unfortunately could not find the link to this site. But it is basically an open forum for people to voice their opinions on what they think the purpose of education is. One of the hosts of the show talked a little about what she wrote and said that she believed education is a right for all people. It is something that is needed in order to survive in our world today and is something that should be offered to all so that we can each build a better life for ourselves. This discussion of the purpose of education ties back to the idea of technology and education because technology is being used to express this idea. Through the Internet this issue is made much more available to the public and gives the public the opportunity to have their voices heard. Although this is a small project, the use of the Internet for this discussion could lead to much of the reform that educators are searching for today.

The hosts of Ed Tech Talk talked with a 7th grade English teacher from the United Kingdom and discussed with him the changes technology is having in his classroom. In his school they are gathering data on the success of computer/technology usage and student achievement and interaction. This 7th grade teacher stated that there is a lot of change occurring in the UK with their curriculum and their search for the purpose of education. In his classroom they are putting technology to use in one aspect through the use of the game Cluedo ( the link explains the purpose of the game). They have an online version where the students can solve murder mysteries through listening to old style theatre mysteries. When the hosts asked about the accessibility of technology and the Internet the teacher said that the school receives good wireless coverage and that about 50% of his students have their own devices that they can use. He said that it has been interesting to see the learning curve difference in this blended environment of students with laptops and students without. The only draw back he is seeing with this type of technology in the classroom is that the cost of insuring these devices is so high and technology is moving so quickly that updating becomes difficult. Also the purpose and use of technology is constantly changing.