T Pack & FIFTEEN

     We are a technologically driven society.  Technology is everywhere and encompasses most everything we do and surrounding us with minor exceptions.  That being said, technology is always trying to out-do itself constantly evolving and keeping the human civilization on its "toes" so to speak.  As future teachers we are constantly reminded of this and keeping up with it and integrating it is bases of both article I have read.  Though the article Fifteen is a bit more antagonistic view of the use of technology in the classroom versus TPack representing it as it should be the framework of a classroom.  Let's face it though, both articles have equally good points.  As teachers we must find a balance of the technology in the classroom. 

     Have you ever heard the term, "I know enough to be dangerous?"  if you have been around me at all your answer would be, "yes".  I think TPack brings a good point to the forefront when it speaks of educators in the classroom needs for being educated on the technology they have available.  I think this is a good point for two reasons.  first reason, if a teacher doesn't know enough about the technology he/she may be using they can not utilize it to its fullest potential.  Second reason,  he/she just wont use it at all and nobody benefits from it.  Bottom line of TPack article is to be educated on what technologies you are using in the classroom and don't be afraid to grown your knowledge and evolve as the technology evolves.

     Fifteen represents a little bit of conspiracy to me of the use of technology and what brands we use in the classroom verses what is not used and why.  This article speaks about companies like Apple "donating" particular laptops, desktops, and/or tablets to push their branding onto the students and schools so that they can drive up sales and create a sense of goodwill in their brand because they were so thoughtful to donate mega bucks worth of technology to these schools that would not be able to afford it otherwise. This article shows many more hidden effects that these tech companies have on our economy more specifically lower income households that want the technology so they will evade real life responsibilities just to have the latest and greatest of what is new on the market.  More importantly pointing out the fact that it's not even about what may or may not be appropriate subject wise to be taught on a computer screen. 

     While trying to accommodate technology, we are taking effective methods of teaching away.  I believe we have to proceed with caution and perhaps take a step back and realize that not everything needs to be fed through a  computer screen.  There is something much more invaluable than technology ever was or will be and that is verbal communication.