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Ryan Swindell
January 22, 2017
Reading Reflection One
Reading Reflection One
In the first chapter of the textbook, Jonassen and Howland begin by setting the stage for
what following chapters will encompass and describe in much more explicit detail. This chapter
essentially acts as the base for all of the information that will subsequently follow. In short, the
authors start by telling the readers that the way school systems and teacher in the United States
currently teach students is outdated and extremely ineffective. They argue that technology is
being embarrassingly misused in schools. They point out specific issues that they have with the
current curriculum and continue on to offer what they believe to be alternative solutions.
Technologies were referenced heavily in tandem with learning. The ideas of learning
from technology and learning with technology were described in detail, and basically the
authors pointed out that learning from technology (which seems to be what teachers are
currently doing) is extremely ineffective, and teachers need to start utilizing the concept of
learning with technology. Instead of technology being the primary teaching tool in classrooms,
the teachers need to use technology as an effective tool alongside the information being taught to
the students.
They emphasized that there is not one specific way to teach students, as each individual
will most likely learn in a much different manner, so the technology needs to cater to the
individual rather than the collective. The chapter outlines several different methods of learning
that are very synergetic, which essentially means that they are most effective when used in
conjunction with one another. If school systems in the United States can find a way to integrate

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these technologies correctly, they believe American students will be much more prepared for
their future outside of school.
When I was reading this chapter I found myself nodding in agreeance with almost every
point that was being made by the authors. I always believed in high school that I was not being
taught in a way that facilitated success outside of the classroom. Standardized testing is a good
example of what I mean. How does being tested in that manner help me succeed in the real
world? I found the attributes of meaningful learning to be especially interesting. They each
outlined a different learning style and how it intertwined with the others in order to create an
optimal learning experience. As I mentioned above, there is not one single attribute that will
work on its own, they are all synergetic in order to provide the most optimal learning experience.
I found it helpful that the authors gave concrete examples throughout the reading that
helped me materialize what the concepts and theories were explaining. Although I did not
necessarily fully grasp every part of this reading, like the Technological Pedagogical Learning
Content Knowledge (TPACK), I feel there is a way that these concepts could be explained in a
different manner and I would be able to have a better understanding. Ive never been a person
who learns solely from readings, many times I learn better when I am seeing or doing the
concept in question. All in all though, I believe the authors provided a solid base for us to begin
our discussion on meaningful learning as we progress through this course.

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Works Cited
1. Howland, J., & Jonassen, D. (2012). Meaningful learning with technology (4th ed.). Boston:
Pearson.