IT's Role in Education Theory

Instructional Technology plays a role in each of the education theories even though in some it may be small or very large. In Perennialism the minimal amount of technology is used. The ability to disseminate truth does not come from how well one uses technology, but the ability to process the truth from within and express through verbal and written communication from person to person. Therefore, the facts and disseminated through blackboards, note taking and verbal communication. A virtual world, like the internet, is not true because it does not exist in the physical sense and could possibly be viewed as corruptive of the individual development of intellect. I see perennialists viewing the internet as an enabler of laziness because of the virtual convenience of the online environment and the removal from the need to build intra-personal relationships that are built in traditional classroom environments. In addition the computer is probably not used in the perennialist education system either, as it requires a relationship with a machine rather than other individuals and it's usefulness would not be viewed as solving a problem, but creating a problem that the teacher would have to explain more about something that wasn't real.

Whereas I view essentialism as being a bit looser with it's use and viewpoints on instructional technology. If the technology reinforces the reality of the academic subject matter, can be used in a way that aids in discipline, builds basic skills and allows student to practice a a life skill, the technology will be adopted as it solves problems and aids instruction. In the most elementary of examples my personal experience attending what I would call an "essentialistic" Catholic grade school we were allowed to work in pairs playing the Math Munchers game on the computer if we turned in our homework on time all week. The catch was we could not have any behavior problems while we worked at the computer, we had to stay quiet because others were working. We were using instructional technology to reinforce the basics of the essentials that the school was trying to teach and instill in us as individuals.

The progressivism education theory, in its' opposition to traditional theories of education, allows the learner to choose whether or not to use technology to learn and enables the learner to solve his or her own problem of how to learn something. Simply providing a choice to read books on tape, watch a video, play a computer game enables the not be forced to learn through a form of technology at a given time. Therefore the child is enabled as a learner and becomes an independent self teacher in preparation for adult life. There is technology in adult life, but no one forces you to use it but we all have to solve our own problems and part of that is by experimenting with what works and what doesn't.

In reconstructionism, the view is clear that education is the only way to succeed in life as an adult. It's build upon progressivism that adopted technology as a choice only, in reconstructionism, the child would not be able to choose, but would be taught through technology only in order to facilitate change and encourage more learning by more people as to ensure society advances. Instructional technology solves the reconstructionism problem of education only being for a certain class of people or learners of a certain ability. Instructional technology is the vector to disseminate education allover the world and reduce barriers to learning such as disabilities. The discussion can go much further into the influences of theory such as the needs of civilization and the idea that the education system can be self correcting in a way that instructional technology bridges the gaps in education.

I know I would be no where without the aid of instructional technology and feel somewhat that my k-18 education was a mixture of all educational theories and application of new technology as it became available. As a college student today to me it is a given there will be computer aided instruction. Education at the university level is constantly changing to allow for better instruction to more people, while giving the students a choice in the matter and finally not forgetting the principles of perennialism and essentialism theories throughout the progression toward building the best educational institution.