Technology: The New & Improved Way to Motivate Students to Learn

I have never really thought about completely revamping technology until I read this article.  Growing up with the expectation that I needed to try my best in order to receive good grades and go to college, I never really understood the importance of actually knowing the material.  Now that I am in college and I am studying what I want to do with the rest of my life, I understand how important it is to not solely spit back information on tests, but also to retain that information for my future teaching undertakings. 

            In the article, the author explains that if “a Rip Van Winkle-like character awaken[ed] after a century of sleep would see little difference in classrooms of the early 20^th century and those of this the early 21^stcentury.”  How convicting!  Although it is true that we have incorporated new methods of teaching, it is also true that the overall school dynamic has remained relatively constant.  But should it be?  Do students really learn what they should be learning to be effective contributors to society?  The idea of completely revamping the idea of education is an interesting, yet seemingly unthinkable one.  However, technology is one way that can drastically change student achievement.

            Later in the article, the author discusses the culture of possibility and the ways that educators can go about cultivating such a culture.  One of the modifications he suggests educators do is that “the education students receive in school should reflect the changes that are happening within the society and larger environment as a whole” (Roberson 891).  In essence, the material learned throughout the school years should be relevant to what is occurring and changing in society. Students often lack motivation to learn certain subjects because they seem irrelevant to their life in the present moment as well as in the future.  If students were given the opportunity to learn practical material (especially if it was through the mode of technology), they would be much more willing to work hard and actually learn.  Therefore, technology most definitely will improve student achievement because it is a relevant and interesting way that students can learn the material being presented, even if it is a subject that the student is not necessarily interested in.