iPads in the Classroom

            Ideologies have been a part of this world since the beginning of time (with Adam and Eve, even though God told them not to eat the forbidden fruit; they did it anyways because Satan made Eve think it would be okay to eat it). Ideologies are a set of conceptions or beliefs a specific group of people have. Ideologies control us and manipulate how we live our lives.

“It is intent on replacing the dominant values across the entire spectrum of its activities. Ideology creates the world anew. It establishes new founding stories and new laws. It redefines the meaning of life. And to complete the imitation, ideology requires new redemptive powers, new saviors, whose power is needed for the re-creation of the world” (G3VH pages 37-38).

            Technology can be seen as an ideology (a controlling one at that). “Already in 1977 Jacques Ellul highlighted this very process, describing the transition from ‘technology’ to ‘Technology,’ by which society in all of its modalities, having succumbed to a truncated, reduced view of reality, submits to a coherent, self-sustaining, universal, and autonomous technological system” (G3VH, page 42). Ever since the first computer came out, technology has progressed. It’s taken over our lives. We cannot live without our technological devices (smartphones, TVs, laptops, iPads, iPods, etc). It feels like every few months Apple is coming out with the latest and greatest devices, even if it’s just a new look (bigger screen on the iPhone or IPad) or app. Apple has made its way into the classroom. iPad’s are being used by students now.

            These past few summers I have worked at a summer school back home. A few summers ago I heard a student talking to one of their friends on how they get an iPad when school starts (they were going into 2^nd grade at the time). They were all excited to have princess’ as their wallpaper on their iPad. This past summer, iPads were being used in one of the classes I was helping out in. I understand its summer school and things are a little more laid back, but the students were mesmerized by these iPads. They would sometimes ask when they would get to use the iPads. One of the students in the class, I found out, just had the same kindergarten teacher that I had. They asked if I had an iPad when I had had the same kindergarten teacher. I found that funny but also sad (I went to kindergarten in the 90’s and felt like I was dating myself, there wasn’t technology like iPads back then). I am not that much older than these students and it seemed like we are centuries apart.

            Kids are starting to become immune to technology in the classroom. They idolize it. I remember when we actually had computer class (we had to walk to computer class) to teach us how to use a computer and we sometimes got the chance to play computer games. Students now of days have technology at their fingertips. I know we live in a technological world now, but I am afraid how technology is going to have an effect on our students. Students won’t be as social as previous generations and I don’t know how much of a success rate there will be in the classroom. There needs to be a balance between technology and the use of textbooks. If we set a limit on when the students can use the IPads and for how long, I think we can start to steer away from this ideology of technology in the classroom all the time. “Technology and science have indeed become the shining hope of many people” (G3VH, page 41). Technology has become hope in the classroom. We can show others we don’t need to completely rely on IPads to get through school. There is hope through hands-on activities, textbooks, etc. to get through school. The Periscope Guideline can help guide us away from this ideology.

“Small windows onto reality supply only a narrow and limited view of the surroundings, just as the tiny portholes of a submarine reveal only a fraction of the immediate area. Submariners know that a widened view requires a periscope. A periscope would give a comprehensive perspective; it would permit us to scan the whole horizon above, not just part of it” (page 181).

We could expand our horizon by blocking certain websites so iPads wouldn’t be as distracting to the students. We could limit the time that students use the iPads. We can incorporate more textbook work and hands on activities in the classroom in place of iPad use. This would be the beginning of hope in the classroom. Students wouldn’t fall as hard to the ideology of technology if there’s a limitation on the use of it. This may not stop them from using it at home, but the classroom is a nice place to start. This will show students there are different ways to learn in life than the use of iPads or other technological devices.

            Ideologies are a set of conceptions or beliefs from a specific group. “Generally, sociologists (along the lines of Karl Mannheim) define “ideology” as the entire set of conceptions and beliefs subscribed to by a specific group of people. According to this definition, everyone has an ideology of one sort or another” (G3VH, page 32). Some have an ideology about technology in the classroom, to the point that they idolize it. Technology is a good thing to an extent, but when people (classrooms for example) start idolizing it, something needs to be done about it. Ideologies can be very controlling.