Journal #9

Bree Colwell
Journal #9

“Technology in Ethiopian Schools” is an article published in the March 2006 issue of ISTE’s magazine “L&L”. I found this article to be profoundly interesting. A U.S. agency developed a program for the students in Ethiopia. The U.S. wanted to integrate technology into their schooling. The students were provided with computers, scanners, cameras, printers, projectors and education on how to use these items. This program was beneficial to the students because this new technological knowledge provides students with an opportunity to be able to keep up with the demands of the world. Over half of their country is below the poverty line and with this knowledge the students can get a better job in order to support their families.

1) As a teacher, how would you convey to your students the benefit of an education in technology?
I would show my students how many jobs use computers every day, from McDonalds to Washington Mutual. I would then assign homework and only half of the class was allowed to use the computer and the other half to use another resource. I expected the same from all students, and they would then say “That’s not fair” we would then have a discussion about how everyone needs to be equal and how technology is important no matter where you go.

2) Are there other topics that could be taught along with the previous lesson?
I feel that teaching compassion and cooperation is a large part of being a teacher. These as well as many other valuable lessons could be incorporated into the previous lesson. Show that the U.S. is helping other countries with their education for students would be my starting point to a larger lesson on how compassion and cooperation never ends.