The Role of Technology in Education: Andrew Essex at TEDxSudeste

Summary

The transcript discusses the rapid evolution of mobile technology and its potential to revolutionize education, particularly for children. The speaker highlights the exponential growth of mobile apps, especially in education, and mentions the importance of platforms like Sesame Street and DreamBox Learning. However, the speaker also addresses the significant educational disparities, emphasizing the achievement gap and digital divide, particularly in the U.S. Solutions like incentive-based mobile learning programs, such as The Million, are proposed as ways to bridge these gaps. The overall goal is to make learning more engaging and accessible for all students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Takeaways

• 😀 Technology is transforming education, with mobile devices playing a pivotal role in enhancing learning experiences for children.
• 😀 The exponential growth of mobile technology, especially smartphones, has rapidly changed how kids interact with learning materials.
• 😀 Despite rapid technological advancements, there's an achievement gap where disadvantaged children are increasingly left behind.
• 😀 Mobile devices, when integrated into education, can make learning more engaging and fun, as seen with educational apps.
• 😀 The divide in access to technology is creating further inequality, with low-income students unable to benefit from mobile learning tools.
• 😀 Some schools, like those in New York City, still prohibit the use of mobile devices, which limits the potential for tech-driven learning.
• 😀 Sesame Street and other educational initiatives are exploring mobile technology to help children learn in new ways.
• 😀 The concept of 'edutainment'—a blend of education and entertainment—is helping to make learning more engaging for students, particularly with mobile apps.
• 😀 In an effort to tackle the achievement gap, incentive-based programs, such as giving students rewards for good grades, are being explored to motivate them.
• 😀 Innovative programs like The Million in New York City use mobile devices as an incentive tool to encourage students to improve their school performance.
• 😀 There's hope that, in the future, we can bridge the gap between the 'tech-savvy' kids and those who are left behind through mobile learning solutions and creative educational methods.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the TED talk?

The main topic of the TED talk is the impact of mobile technology on education, particularly its potential to both improve and exacerbate the achievement gap in underprivileged communities.

How does the speaker describe the rapid development of mobile technology?

The speaker highlights the exponential growth of mobile technology over the past few years, noting that it has outpaced progress made in the last 200 years. He emphasizes how technology has revolutionized various fields, including education.

What is the significance of 'Moore's law' in the context of mobile technology?

Moore's law refers to the observation that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, which leads to an increase in computing power. The speaker suggests that kids are benefiting from this rapid technological growth, particularly through mobile devices.

What role do educational apps play in the current mobile tech landscape?

Educational apps are becoming an increasingly significant part of the mobile tech landscape. The speaker notes that while education apps currently account for a small portion of iPhone sales, their market share is expected to grow substantially in the coming years.

How does the speaker use Sesame Street as an example in the talk?

The speaker uses Sesame Street as an example of how media and technology can be transformative in education. He highlights that just as Sesame Street revolutionized children's television, mobile technology holds the potential to revolutionize learning for today's generation.

What issue does the speaker raise about the digital divide?

The speaker addresses the digital divide, specifically how the proliferation of mobile technology is leaving disadvantaged communities further behind in terms of educational opportunities. This divide is growing, particularly for underprivileged students who lack access to technology.

What does the speaker say about the achievement gap in the U.S. education system?

The speaker underscores the significant achievement gap in the U.S., especially among Black and Latino students. He notes that many students are not graduating on time, and there is a disparity in academic performance between students from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.

What example does the speaker provide to highlight the consequences of educational disparity?

The speaker provides a chart illustrating the consequences of educational disparity, showing that a lack of education is linked to a significant increase in incarceration rates and a decrease in wages, highlighting the long-term societal effects of the achievement gap.

What is the speaker's opinion on the ban of mobile devices in schools?

The speaker criticizes the ban of mobile devices in schools, particularly in New York City, where devices are seen as distractions or tools for crime coordination. He argues that mobile devices, when used correctly, can be powerful educational tools and should not be banned.

What is the Million program, and how does it aim to improve education?

The Million program is an incentive-based mobile learning initiative that rewards students with airtime, texting, and educational apps for good academic performance and attendance. It was launched in New York City schools as a pilot program to motivate students to engage with their education through technology.