Bandwagon Approach To Education Reform

Digital media and technology are a way of life in America, so it is no surprise that instructors and education reformers are turning to more and more of it. Instructors can incorporate images and videos into a lesson or use a simulation program that resembles a video game; the possibilities seem endless. The bandwagon approach to education reform brought about countless new digital products and programs, but the effectiveness and unintended consequences of these tools and methods are still being analyzed. While device technology and programs may enhance teaching and learning experiences, school administrators should proceed cautiously when choosing and implementing new technologies. Over the last century, every generation envisioned profound reforms in education by using …show more content…
Thomas Edison wholeheartedly supported the use of motion pictures for educational purposes and even predicted that they would replace textbooks almost completely. Device technology and the Internet are simply newer tools, but many education experts and reformers insist that new technologies are the magic …show more content…
When integrating untried tools and methods into lessons, a balanced and informed approach is more effective than a bandwagon-style adoption. With a full understanding of the advantages and potential side effects, educators can evaluate whether a certain technology will actually benefit students and teachers, or if it is just the Band-Aid of the day. Many technologies can convey information and test memorization skills, but hands-on activity, real-life experience, and mentoring relationships are just as vital for the development of healthy, well-rounded individuals. Good instructors who combine technology with traditional classroom experience are the best asset a school can