Demer 1 Nolan Demer Professor Keaton ENC 1102-31 3/6/14 Joining the Conversation In this dialogue, we have six

contributing characters who is participating in the dialogue. A Mr. Chuck Soder, Myself, my primary source, Mr. Terry Greene, Mr. Cork, a Mr. Zwaagstra, a Mr. David White and a Ms. Susan Nelson. The setting for this dialogue will be taking place in a conference room. The characters of this dialogue have all been requested to speak about their opinions and beliefs of technology in education in this conference room, in front of a panel of investors. Some characters are attempting to convince the investors that their investing in educational technology is a wise decision, others are going to disagree with this. Me: Welcome everyone, I hope that all of you found the place easily, Id like to get started by introducing each of you to our panel of investors who will be sitting in and listening to your opinions today. Meet Mr. Cork, he has been kind enough to be here today and share with us some information he learned from a team of IBM researchers in regard to education technology. Cork: *Nods head*, Glad to be here. Me: Next, Mr. Soder, an experienced man who is with us to share his opinions on technologys role in our schools. Soder: Thanks for having me gentlemen. Me: And, our guest, Mr. Zwaagstra, did I pronounce that correctly sir?

Demer 2 *Zwaagstra nods and looks down at his note pad* who will be providing us with his opinions and observations regarding technology in Canadian schools. Me: And finally Mr. Greene, Mr. White, and Ms. White Cork: *Looks at investors* I think you will all be pleased to take a look at these figure a team of IBM researchers drew up for the conference, I know they would love some of you to see what IBM is bringing to the field. Ladies and Gentlemen, this field is on the rise, education stands to gain extensively from new technology, the findings and research by IBM implies that technology will only continue to grow in education, and best of all, there is money to be made in the private sector (Cork.) Soder: *shoots Cork an approving glance and focuses his attention toward the suits*, Ladies and Gentlemen, I can assure you that your money stands to make great gains in this field, I have been working closely with business owners who are entering into the ed-tech field, and there is great potential for your capital to yield a high return in this field, I cant speak into the specifics like Mr. Cork, but I think your money would be wisely invested in this industry (Soder.) Me: Mr. Zwaagstra, have you anything to add? Zwaagstra: *sheepishly looks up at the investors Sorry, y-yes of course, I think these gentlemen have formulated their opinions p-primarily on their interest in the private sector, I feel that we need to focus more on the children and students rather than the private field, because they are the ones who are really directly affected by these kinds of changes in education. Sorry if I upset anyone with my opinion. (Zwaagstra)

Demer 3 Me: Thats a perfectly valid concern Mr. Zwaagstra, but keep in mind we are here to inform these possible investors, not debate whether Johnny, Susie, or Mr. Smith like the technology, we are looking into the possible monetary incentives in the field, but thank you for your opinion. Greene: (To Zwaagstra) Mr. Zwaagstra, I think you have neglected some key facts in your argument. Rather than spend money frivolously on the latest and greatest technology, the more important focus would be to be to spend money on the technologies that have the best results for schools, because these are the ones they are ultimately going to buy, schools are looking for technology that lasts them in a sustainable way. (Greene) Me: Thats a good point Mr. Greene, what specifically would you like to see changed? Greene: What I want to improve is easier, faster and ubiquitous access to mobile connection to the Internet. So many wonderful field learning experiences could be enhanced if everyones phone or tablet would connect cheaply to the internet no matter where they were out in the field. (Greene) Cork: (To investor panel) see everyone? This is a guy who knows what hes talking about, now Mr. Zwaagstra what do you think about uhh Mr. Greenes statements? Zwaagstra: (flustered) W-well Mr. Cork, I think its important that we focus on the cost of this kind of technology in schools. I think Mr. Greene has some valid concerns but the p-problem is whether or not its worth implementing, the biggest issue plaguing schools is not lack of technology, its lack of funding. Greene: The question Sir, is not whether its worth implementing, but how, I know from personal experience that newer technology is most certainly worth implementing in our schools (Greene.)

Demer 4 Soder: (smiling and leaning forward) So what youre saying Mr. Greene, is that there are reasonably large technology gains that can made in education by researching more sustainable forms of technology? Greene: Thats precisely what Im saying. Me: Good points gentlemen, Ms. Nelson, do you have anything you would like to add? Nelson: Hello everyone, I have some points to contribute. Firstly I feel that any technology implemented in schools needs to be first understood and mastered by all of the instructors using it as an educational tool. I also disagree with Mr. Greene on his point that our internet needs to be improved, I dont believe internet should be the primary focus of educators in technology, I feel that we should instead focus on software that is educational and instructional to students. (Nelson) White: Well Ms. Nelson, you do make some valid points. But from what Ive observed at schools in West Virginia, implementing new technology such as netbooks for all students and online assignments wasnt very difficult to implement at all. In fact since its been implemented all the students and teachers I interviewed say that it has been much more convenient for them than traditional methods of education (White.) Zwaagstra: Well Mr. White that may be so, but we return to the problem once again, that implementing those kinds of technologies in schools seems just to be too expensive, just to make turning in assignments a little more convenient. Greene: I think Mr. Zwaagstra, that you are downplaying the benefit of technology in education. I work with it every day, I know how essential it is and how much good it can do for our students.

Demer 5 Me: What about the issue of training faculty Mr. White, did you encounter any of that while investigating these schools in West Virginia? I think that is one of Ms. Nelsons main concerns. White: Yes Mr. Demer, I did. I encountered a gentleman who had previously been a band teacher of 20 years promoted to the head of the IT department for the school. Basically the school implemented a larger and more tech-savy staff to handle any issues that may arise with the computers that the students were being used. This particular gentleman stressed how much good he though this program was doing for the school, and also explained that most problems the IT team encounters in the school are something as simple as restarting a problematic computer. Greene: I encounter similar problems in my workplace as well, most of the time a problem that arises can be fixed easily, thats the beauty of modern technology, you can always find an answer for every problem now a days. Me: Great points. Nelson: I personally still feel that these new technologies and systems being implemented in schools dont always have the students best interests in mind. Isnt that why these investors are here? Theyre here to see if they can make money, not to see if they can actually help students. Soder: (defensively) Now Ms. Nelson, lets not be so disrespectful to our investors here. Theres not just one black and white answer of right or wrong to your question about ulterior motives. Obviously if there is money to be made in new technology for education, youre going to have people who invest in said technologies. We are here to talk about the future of technology in education, you have professionals who work in the field, like Mr. Greene, who is telling you how efficient and helpful it can be to the students, theres no denying that.

Demer 6 Me: Well Mr. Soder, Ms. Nelson is simply expressing her opinion, and thats why weve asked each and every one of you to be here today, to share your experiences and opinions regarding technology in school. I feel that each of you has contributed a lot today, and hopefully have helped some of our investors on whether or not this is a field they would be interested in dedicating their money towards. If anyone of you has a closing argument, now would be the time for it. Soder: I would like to express to the investors one last time how much companies stand to gain, monetarily speaking in this field. Nelson: (Makes a grimace) White: Im not 100% sure how this would affect tech companies, but from my observations in West Virginia, teachers and students seem to enjoy newer technology, and it wouldnt surprise me if more and more schools begin implementing similar programs like the netbook one in West Virginia. Zwaagstra: I dont know how it could affect these investors, but I feel that schools dont have the budget to afford this kind of technology all around North America. And I also hope that schools arent prioritizing technology over student achievement right now. Me: It looks as though this is all the time we have left. Thank you everyone for your contributions, and we encourage our investors to stick around and ask our panel any individual questions that any of you may have. (Commotion commences) I think that overall technology has the potential to benefit schools enormously. Part of the reason I chose this topic was so I could research what exactly is being done to get newer technology into schools, and how much it benefits the students. I didnt expect to find as many different opinions

Demer 7 about technology in education as I did. The biggest thing I wanted to communicate in my dialogue was how many different viewpoints there actually are surrounding the subject, hopefully from my characters dialogue the reader walks away with a better understanding of this. After researching this I would have to say I lean towards Mr. Greenes opinion regarding the subject, mostly because he has so much experience in the field and works as an educator, he has been exposed to this more than any of my other sources and his statements surrounding more efficient technology in school seems like the best solution to me.

Demer 8 Works Cited Cork. "Technology to Transform Our Schools and Shops." Sunday Business Post, 05 Jan. 2014. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/1474084152>.

Soder, Chuck. "Schools Buy into Technology Boom." Crain's Cleveland Business. N.p., 29 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/1353320816>

Zwaagstra, Michael. "Little Gain from Technology in Schools; Latest High-tech Gadgets Are Unnecessary." Vancouversun.com. The Vancouver Sun / Troy Media, 06 June 2013. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.

Nelson, Susan A. "TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS: Whose Best Interest?" Education Digest. N.p., May 2000. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

White, David. "TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION; Wirt County One-on-one Computer-based Learning Takes over Classroom." Charleston Gazette, 25 Dec. 2010. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.

Greene, Terry. Personal Interview. March 9, 2014

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