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Jonah,
        Me thinks you protest too much...  It's not a matter of not
believing learning can be fun, but that just having fun with
technology doesn't = learning.
        Doing experiments is a good thing, but just doing something
fun with technology doesn't necessarily mean they are doing an
experiment. Playing a video game is using technology to have
fun, but it doesn't necessarily translate into experiencial learning.

Good teaching has always involved motivating the learner, as
well as providing good content, and good process.  It's also what
makes the difference between a good, interesting and meaningful
exhibit and one that is an empty activity.

Dave Taylor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


> From: Jonah Cohen <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Informal Science Education Network
> Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2004 19:26:50 -0400
> Subject: Re: technology in science

> Feel free to flame me for this if you wish, but....
>
> On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 08:46:24 -0400 "Swiston, Bethany L"
> <[log in to unmask]> writes:
>> I was completely psyched about how the technology was impacting my
>> instructional program, but I've recently read an article in which
>> the author perceived technology in a negative light.  She saw that
>> using technology that is enjoyable promotes the perception that
>> education should always be entertaining, although learning is
>> sometimes a difficult and taxing process.
>
> See, this is why I'm dubious about "professional studies" or whatever
> they call glorified op-ed pieces like the one Bethany refers to. Let me
> get this straight... the author in question perceived things "in a
> negative light" --- because the students enjoyed them? The author feared
> that they might find education enjoyable, when they >should< think of it
> as taxing and difficult? What a pile of @#$%^&*!
>
> Hey, I know. Let's not let kids do any experiments; instead, let's make
> them memorize factoids and formulas and analyze huge reams of data! That
> ougta pare down their expectations that learning is enjoyable. And it
> doesn't end with science. Let's ban the Harry Potter books (kids seem to
> LIKE those, so you know they've gotta be bad news!) A more appropriate
> book would be Finnegan's Wake, or perhaps Atlas Shrugged. Now THOSE ought
> to teach the young uns the important lesson that reading is not
> enjoyable!
>
> OK, I'll turn off the sarcasm. But seriously, a word to Bethany: you're
> the one actually working with these students, you're the one who knows
> the best how well your approach is or isn't working. Don't doubt yourself
> just cause some "expert" is mouthing off. And for what it's worth, I
> think your initial assessment is right: bolstering students' enthusiasm
> about learning can only be a good thing.
>
> Rant over,
> Jonah Cohen
> Outreach & Public Programs Manager
> Science Center of Connecticut

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