Technology In Cathy Davidson's 'Project Classroom Makeover'

Technologies can simply be something that occupies leisure time. Technology can just be part of a hobby. Technology can be a source for academic success. Some may not consider technology to be useful in education, but others like the author of “Project Classroom Makeover”, Cathy Davidson, recognize technology as a weapon to truly further education. Davidson believes in the breakthrough of technology by taking education to a new level, by sparking students’ attention, giving them the intriguing task of unraveling the iPod and the challenge of revolutionizing this music player into a full blown educational device in her essay. Davidson’s article exemplifies how technological advancements have revolutionized education and even intrigue a student

Students do not perform well in school because of their lack of interest. Even for students that are diagnosed with disorders such as ADD, it is said that, “Brain researchers have shown that kids improve with directed, special attention to their own skills and interests the opposite of,” standardization, or any standardized material (Davidson 60). In fact students diagnosed with the disorder are, “Characterized by distractibility, frequent switching from one activity to another, boredom with a task after a task or focusing on a task in which one is not interested;” the standard classroom setting does not hold their attention anymore (62). Although the subject may not appeal them in general, technology can be used to spark and fuel other interests. Technology can take their hobby to a higher level because of all of the information that can be accessed from the Internet and its constant updates. These students can explore new ways of learning with the integration of technology into the education system, because it is clear that the generation of students, “Concentrate in a different way when [they] are watching or listening or even reading a book,” proving education to not be the problem. Technology is one of the primary ways that the generation absorbs information. Learning for younger children, especially, is something that they can propel themselves into, “As long as there is a payoff, not what is won or achieved in statistical terms, but what is won and achieved inside, in a sense of self-confidence and competence;” they want a sense of self-satisfaction (67). This satisfaction is achieved by gaining knowledge in the subject of interest. Although a subject of interest will allow the topic to be easier to learn, this topic must be able to change or combined to create something to keep its significance. A subject of interest can be keep by