Effects “with” and effects “of” a Technology

The article by Salomon et. al. previously mentioned (see Mindful Engagement) has been coalescing in my mind, and shaping the ways in which I think about technology in schools, as well as accommodations for our students.

The authors of “Partners in Cognition” start by telling us, and I concur that, “computer technology, in and of itself, is of little interest”.  What really impacts student lives is how we use the technology.  I remember a colleague telling me that she didn’t want our disabled student to use an “Alpha Smart” (portable word processor) for fear that he’d become “even more lazy”.  This example illustrates the need for the careful understanding of technology; it’s limitations, and potential impact. 

Salomon divides “intelligent technologies” in two categories:

1. Technology that can impact what we do, while we’re doing it (effects with);
2. Technology that affects our way of thinking, and that has lasting effects that carry after we complete our task (effects of).

In the previous example of the “Alpha Smart”, both outcomes should have been considered.  On the one hand, our student would have become a better writer (at least with better penmanship) immediately upon use of the tool.  This would have been the effect “with” the technology.  On the other hand, he might have learned some important writing rules through the use of the technology, rules he might have carried on and applied when writing without the aid of the technology.  This would have been an effect “of” the technology.  Of course, it would have been entirely up to the student to determine the degree of interaction with the technology, the degree of “Mindful Engagement”, without which the device would never progress from a tool to “work with” to a tool to “learn with”.

Comments

[Helen Keefe]

Hi,
I am interested in the topic of mindful engagement, and am glad you posted it on your blog.
My research is on course management systems and fcaulty use. One of my arguments has to do with the interaction of the technology on the faculty and how their beliefs and actions about teaching may change due to the interaction.
I'm impressed with your blog. I just don't have the time to do anything like this, so I appreciate your efforts.