Future of Computers in School

Larry Cuban outlines three predictions for the future of computer use by teachers. He then discusses the one prediction he feels is most likely to occur. He begins first by discussing the difference between access to computers and use of computers. Though more students have access to computers today than ever before, the time they spend on the computers is often used for very different reasons. One interesting fact he referred to was that students from lower income families have less access to computers at school than students from higher income families. This seemed to conflict with the data presented in class that students from low income families use the computers more at school. He outlines major historical innovations in education, which leads up to technology. He suggests that as technology has become a key component of daily life, reformers have tried to implement computers in education as a “high-tech, engineered solution for ineffective, even primitive, teaching by textbooks.” Some see technology as the future and believe teachers should prepare their students for it. Others believe computers should be a tool used in students’ self-directed learning. Another view of computers is a part of the “faster, better, cheaper” theme in American society.

His first prediction is that in a decade schools will have enough machinery to essentially accommodate every student. Students will become reliant on computers to teach themselves and each other. The teacher will become merely a facilitator in their own learning. This change would happen rapidly, upturning the system of education as we know it.

In the second scenario, he envisions technology going into schools to increase productivity, but not necessarily to alter the way school instruction is currently organized. This prediction would allow for increased requirement throughout school that include computer knowledge. The use of computers in this scenario will only better the quality of education as has been done in years past. Computers will mostly be used to re-enforce what education already does.
The third idea is that putting computers in schools is only a very small step in a very slow process to improve teaching and schooling. I agree

Although I’m not sure exactly when this was written, I gather it’s been a few years ago now. However, I agree with his idea that the second scenario is most likely. Change will occur, but it will occur slowing. America typically seams to be a country fairly set in its old ways, especially when it comes to education. I mean really, how much has education changed over the last hundred years? Sure we have changed our methods of testing and accountability, but aren’t the core values still essentially the same? Thus I see computers as an enhancement to an age-old schooling tradition. Although I suppose if American education continues on the downward spiral it appears to be on, anything could be possible. I did find it interesting that he thought different scenarios would play out at different age levels. However, the high-tech computer schools are not likely to take over the country anytime soon.