What makes technology good?

According to Stephen Downes, there are nine possibilities which indicate good technology.

1. Technology is always available Good technology will automatically be found in the classroom and the teacher does not have to wait and sign the technology out so that they can use it. In my opinion, smart boards and computers are generally good technology because many classrooms have them readily available.

2. Good technology is always on Much of the technology today uses a lot of energy and takes a long time to start up. This wastes precious classroom time. If technology that takes only a few seconds to start up becomes more common, this will increase the amount of time that teachers can use it with their students.

3. Good technology is always connected This goes along with number 2. If the technology is connected, teachers can spend more time using it with their students rather than wasting time setting it up.

4. Good technology is standardized Technology should be universal, meaning that we should be able to access our information from any computer as well as share information from any computer. Some programs only work on certain computer brands, but if those programs help to improve technology, they should be able to work on all computers.

5. Technology is simple I need technology to be very simple, otherwise I become frustrated very quickly. I need to know right away how to access the main functions of the computer that I use daily. If those functions are not there or are not easily accessible, I will not buy that computer. In order for me to use the technology, it must be very easy to work with.

6. Good technology doesn't require parts Along with being simple, my technology must not require parts, otherwise I do not know how to work it myself. If this is the case, I will bring it to someone who does know how to work the parts and will have it fixed. I, however, do not feel comfortable at all when technology is complicated and has many parts to it.

7. Good technology is personalized The use of emails, blogs, PLE's, and personal web pages has allowed technology to become more personalized. The most common form of personalization today is probably the email address. Nearly everyone who is around technology has a personalized email address or screename which reflects that person's personality in some way.

8. Good technology is modular It can be built in a variety of different ways and constantly improved from one model to the next. For example, one laptop may not have something that the next version of that same laptop will have. The new version will therefore be faster and have higher picture quality, for example.

9. Good technology does what you want it to do I don't know how many times over the course of my college years I have found myself in an argument with my computer because it won't do what I need it to do. Good ttechnology will not have these glitches.

Until next time...