From the video, the most influential form of technology for
mathematics was the introduction of the teaching machines in 1958. I believe
these machines were the beginning of the inventions of calculators and
computers that, today, are essential to a mathematics education.
Similarly, in “A Social History of Media, Technology and
Schooling,” Grace explains how her grandmother was first introduced to the
teaching machines. Even though Bessie wrote that she was angry and it was easy
to ignore, she later realized, “that the machine was valuable” (45). The machine
could be used for a student to use while the teacher focused on other students,
thus making educating more effective. In addition, using this form of new
technology was thought to “motivate students, thus, far exceeding any potential
negative effects” (Rethinking Technology
in Schools, 33). These teaching machines helped lead to the future of other
essential technological inventions for math instruction such as the calculator
and computer.
When watching the video from a musician's perspective, I ranked the teaching machines as some of the least influential technologies described (no offense). After reading your post, and thinking from a broader educational scope, I definitely see the benefits of these inventions. Also, considering that these were the precursors of our modern-day computers, I should certainly retract my original idea. Without these ancestors to modern technology, many of the amazing teaching tools currently available would not exist.
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