Randy Pausch is an American educator, a research scientist, an associate professor of human Biology at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a computer engineer. He is also an author and frequent contributor to numerous publications on education and technology. In 2021, Pausch coauthored an article with Michael Norton on “Bridging the Gap: E-Learning and Its Impact on Educational Research.” The article discusses how e-learning is changing the learning experience, making instruction more interactive and tailored to students. They further examined how the e-learning technologies are likely to impact educational practice in the next five years. This article reviews Pausch’s book titled A Comprehensive Guide to Teaching Technology.
Within the first several pages, the reader is taken in the general concept of e-learning. Pausch begins by briefly describing the history of technology, providing an overview of the thinking about technology, offering some examples of how technology has influenced education, and discussing some typical challenges of educating students in the twenty-first century. After giving an overview, he goes into discussing the different ways in which technology has impacted education. He then provides specific examples of these changes, demonstrating how these changes impact teachers today.
Within the first chapter, Pausch explains his belief that students will be willing to learn new things in response to technology. He offers five reasons for this belief, which he explores in detail throughout the book. In doing so, he demonstrates that this view is not mere hope or a passing phase but is grounded in fact. It is supported by several examples from his own experience.
Technology, he continues, can facilitate discovery. He includes an example of a student who used a state-of-the-art Internet access software package to help him learn more about the planet. This student, he points out, was able to learn about the planets, stars, animals, geology, geography, and much more through this interactive package. While this particular student was able to learn, he notes, he also discovered an interest in learning more about the environment, and a desire to “go green.” All of these lessons were learned through the Internet and in the process developed a deeper understanding of technology.
Technology, in Pausch’s view, needs to be integrated into the classroom. “ED” software, he suggests, should be utilized as an instructional tool to assist instructors in teaching various aspects of technology. Teachers should utilize technology-based activities in order to make their students more familiar with technology. They should also integrate technology into the curriculum in order to teach various technologies, including how to use computers in the classroom.
Technology in education has changed dramatically in the past few years. The author rightly notes, “There are just far too many different kinds of technology for any teacher to comfortably handle.” This book describes several different ways in which technology can impact teaching. The book also serves as a great primer on the technology, how it works, and the various forms of technology available today.
In an ideal world, everyone would be well-versed in all forms of technology, but this is probably not what exists. Luckily, technology has provided numerous opportunities for teachers to learn new techniques, and for students to be introduced to new technology. In this way, Randy Pausch’s” educator’s guide to technology” provides an excellent resource for teachers of all levels. The book is also a good introduction to other forms of technology that can serve the same goal as computers in the classroom, such as digital picture display equipment.
Randy Pausch, a former mathematics teacher, has become one of the most recognized and influential educators in the modern age. Educators can benefit from reading this helpful book. It can help to provide a variety of ways in which technology can be used in the classroom and is also an excellent primer on technology. Further, by reviewing this text, teachers can ensure that they are well-versed in the various ways that technology has affected the field of teaching and be better able to engage their students.