Article Assessment of "Tools for the Mind" by Mary Burns

"Tools for the Mind" by Mary Burns explores some of the ways schools are using and not using technology. She believes that schools and teachers are not utilizing technology to the greatest of it's potential. She presents the question "Why are schools using computers primarily to teach low-level skills when technology has the potential to deepen student learning?".

Some points raised in the article:

--When technology was first introduced into the educational setting it was accompanied by hope and promise of the possibilities and potential to improving student learning.

--It was believed that technology would help build higher-order thinking skills.

--Budget cuts (proposed and actual), NCLB mandates, lack of supporting research for technology improving learning and as a tool for higher-order thinking and has lead to a decline in optimism and utilization of technology in the classroom.

--The majority of technology use in the classroom today is to teach lower-level skill in the form of word processing and 'show and tell' programs like powerpoint.

--Power points have reduced content to "sight bites" that don't promote quality and thorough research and presentation of knowledge.

--"Students and teachers must become creators of information and ideas, not simply users of technology of the higher-order thinking is to be achieved with the use of technology."

--teachers should teach critical thinking skills first and technology later.

--Teachers should focus on curriculum, instruction and assessment

--teachers should be provided with trainings on how to use technology in the classroom to promote higher order thinking not just trainings on simply how to use the technology.

As an aspiring teacher I would like to learn ways to promote higher order thinking with the use of technology. I would think that publishing works on the web or in the schools would be a way to do this. I think that in order for us to get our students to use higher order thinking with technology we need to use it more ourselves. I am still not convinced that technology can be a tool for higher order thinking.