Assignment Week #12 pt.2

In this reading Digital Fabrication and Making in Education, Blikstein reviews the history of engineering education, and discusses the educational benefits of digital fabrication and how it could be used as a unique tool for progressive educators.
I think digital fabrication is extremely important for teaching practice as it builds up a bridge to connect the happenings in this world to today's classroom teaching. Digital technology is no longer represented by those "large, expensive, awkward machines", instead, technology has put a huge impact on every aspect of people's daily life with its easy accessibility. Most importantly, digital fabrication provides ultimate "possibilities" in the classroom, where children are able to explore and experiment with different methods to create, re-create, and present their work. As technology develops and evolves itself, children follow the pattern of this ongoing progression, and receive updates on this world as they learn and experience through digital fabrication.

In my opinion, "digital technology" is a very abstract term. It is a word for a concept with the branch of knowledge that deals with the use of technical means. Technology is constantly evolving which could triggers insecurities in people, as one thing we used to know so well yesterday could turn into a new challenge today, which raise questions about wether it is worth it for educators to invest their time in something so unpredictable. Same insecurities could apply to art teaching, where the use of new technology often requires additional learning and processing, yet the outcome could not fulfill our expectation. The unpredictability and possibilities of new technology excite people yet puts educators under challenges. This reading only reminds me of how important it is for educators to be fearless towards new challenges in our career. As teachers, we should never stop learning, and always make sure we're available to provide the knowledges and skills needed to help children adapt to this digital era. Technology shouldn't be intimidating, and it should be for everyone in the classroom.

Twenty Things to Do With a Computer was a very interesting read. I was extremely surprised that the article was published in 1971. The reading brings up several key words in relation to the connection between children and computer:"conversation" and "questions and answers." which summarize the use of technology for people even on today. The reading also discusses the "intellectual timidity" among educators towards computer. It mirrors with my thoughts on educators' insecurities towards new technology, because they could be afraid for "any purpose that fails to look very much like something that has been taught in schools." I think such the timidity and insecurity amount teachers are not only from technology but also from the school and the socio culture around us. Our society is very much outcome-driven which often limited the opportunities for experiment and learning. Within the limitation and expectation given from school principles, it's not surprising to see some teachers limit the mediums used in their classrooms in order to fulfill the "goals."