Lesson 2: Technology: Boon or Bane|?

Technology contributes much to the improvement of the teaching-learning process and to the humanization of life. It is indeed a blessing. But when used properly, it becomes a detriment to instruction and human progress and development. 

The education technology is boon when:

• Technology is a blessing for a man. With technology, there is a lot that we can do which we could not do then.
• Technology contributes much to the improvement of the teaching-learning progress and to the humanization of life.
• With cellphones, webcam, you will be closer to someone miles and miles away.
• Your teaching and learning have become more novel, stimulating, exciting, fresh and engaging with the use of multimedia in the classroom.
• With your TV, you can watch events as they happen all over the globe.

The education is bane when:

• When not used properly, technology becomes a detriment to learning and development.
• The learner is made to accept as Gospel truth information the get from the Internet.
• The learner has surfs the Internet for pornography.
• The learner has uncritical mind on images floating on television and computers that represent modernity and progress.
• The TV makes learner a mere spectator not an active participant in the drama of life.

Technology is made for man and not man for technology. Technology is made for the teacher and not for the teacher and not the teacher for technology. This means that technology is meant to serve man in all aspects of life including instruction. It is man, and in the context of the classroom, the teacher who determines how technology ought to be used in order to reap the maximum benefits that come along with technology.

The integration of technology in the instructional process must be geared towards:

·       interactive and meaningful learning
·       the development of creative and critical thinking
·       the development and nurturing of teamwork
·       efficient and effective teaching