Type I and Type II Technology

Type I and type II technology differs in the way it interacts with the user. Type I is technology that makes teaching easier but leaves the user relatively trapped in what can they do with the technology. There is not much freedom. Type II technology is technology that changes how we teach students. It is technology integration in the classroom, it is allowing internet usage for research, it is pretty much all technology that changes the way we teach. It allows for a much more flexible usage of technology and gives more freedom to the user.

Type I technology has been apart of my schooling, unfortunately. I think it relates highly to the time I grew up though. When I started school we still have basic computers, and the teachers understanding on computers and technology was limited. We worked with spelling on floppy drives. Granted the games were fun, but they were basic and didn’t allow for much exploration of the computer. Online tests can be considered a type I technology as it doesn’t really allow for the user to really take advantage of the technology, and makes an educator’s life easier. I subbed recently in a third grade class and they were taking vocab tests to help determine reading levels. If they understood a question, a harder one would appear until they finished the test. This can be considered another aspect of type I.

I took film class in high school. We would watch films and then write papers and discuss them. We would also would be responsible for filming and editing our own movies. We filmed silent movies, scripted movies, documentaries, and another film of your choice. We explored both how to use digital video cameras but all became adept at movie and some other video editing programs. This, I would consider, all Type II technology usage. In high school, power point presentations were beginning to take over from the traditional poster presentation. Often the option was given to do one or another but by allowing students to experiment and express themselves through PowerPoint, it gave them access to technology. The laptop program in Maine is a huge type II technology. It is changing everything about how we are teaching this generation of students.

Source: Maddux, Cleborne D. and D. LaMont Johnson "Type II Applications of Technology in Education: New and Better Ways of Teaching and Learning." Haworth Press Inc.