Mod 3 article reviews

OM GOODNESS!  The Clark article was some of the most difficult reading I have ever done.  I kept thinking to myself is this guy for real.  How can you not think media (whatever that media may be) does not help some students learn?  Any student in education knows that every student learns differently, because of this every student that needs media to learn benefits from this media. 

The hardest part for me is what did Clark specifically define media as?  To me, media TV, computers, computer programs, etc. but I am not sure what he meant.  He mentions TV several times in the first part of the article and then in the latter part of the article he mentions computers.  Not sure which was his “media”. 

Also, it seems as you read the article, that regardless of what the research says, Clark does not and will not believe the results.  On page 447, Clark has it set in his mind that all research in this field is confounded and if the research states otherwise then it is not a good study.  You can’t just write off any research that you do not like, I don’t get his stance.   

Now the Kozma article was great!  He picked apart Clark’s stance and provided research that proved that media is beneficial to learners.  Kozma states that some learners may not need or even benefit from media there are learners (as the research he presents in the article) that will use a media and construct knowledge which is what we as educators want.  We want to give students whatever tools they need and can use to build their knowledge.  These devices (whatever they may be) are tools teachers can use to reach those that need help and provide ways to build on what they know already. 

I liked Kozma, he makes sense.

I think with Jonassen’s article, he was presenting yet another way to present information in the classroom.  His last paragraph states teachers need to apply components of strategies they have at their disposal in order to best teach and foster student learning.  With constructivism it means taking what know, collaborate with others and build a meaning on those collaborations.  It means teachers have to facilitate more and “teach” less.  Not a bad idea.

The last article by Chapman was mainly giving educators ideas of how to provide technology to all students.  Having tech centers and/or clubs available to all students so they have access to technology.  These particular centers had 3D printers and software to edit and make movies.  Some schools can’t afford such items so forming centers and clubs can still get students involved but outside of the school setting.  Great thing if it can be implemented in school systems that have very little money.