I think that technology in the classroom should follow the same guidelines. If there is a technology that will enhance learning and be very beneficial to the students, this technology should be used in the classroom. However, if there is a technology in which the relative advantage of its use is not as readily apparent, I think the time and money that would need to be invested in this technology would be a waste. If some sort of cost-benefit anaysis could be used, I would suggest educators use this type of a system to determine when they should use certain technologies in their classrooms.
The only major differences I see in my technobiography and my blog about technology in the classroom is the dependence I have on technology in my own life. Many of the friendships I share with people from high school and earlier periods of my life are maintained using technology. Without things like Facebook and AIM, I would lose contact with many of these people because they are away at college eight or nine months out of the year or our social paths do not meet for long periods of time. In this sense, I think that it is beneficial to be dependent on these technologies for these reasons because otherwise, relationships may be lost.
On the other hand, I do not think it is beneficial for students to be dependent on technology in the classroom. Although I think tools such as calculators and dissection simulations can be beneficial in cases to save time and to give students experiences they would otherwise not have, students should not become entirely dependent on these technologies. By avoiding dependency , students would be forced to learn basic arithmetic and algebra and would receive the benefits from actually dissecting an organism. Though certain technologies may be able to enhance the learning of this information, physically performing things that technology could do can make the experience much more realistic and give the student a well-rounded experience of whatever the topic may be. I think a balance between the use of technology and doing activities without it would create a more effective presentation of information.
I really agree with your comments on using only worth while and beneficial technologies in the classroom. There are so many options out there, you really need to know when to draw the line. The way I think about how kids now of days become dependent on technology is for entertainment purposes. I worked at an afterschool program a few years ago, and I remember how hard it was to get the kids engaged in basic recreational activities....there was a certain lack of imagination and enthusiasm in playing games like charade, capture the flag and what have you....When asking the kids what they would do if they were hom right now, or if it were the weekend, many would mention computer/nintendo/psp/tv...what have you....they are not accustomed to finding ways to entertain themselves outside of the living room. And while using technology in school is great when appropriate, there are other ways to go about things that can lead a student back to the basics, and I think finding that balance can be very beneficial...
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