Media (is) the message

There has been a long running debate between Richard Clark's and Robert Kozma's views on technology. Richard Clark states that "media are mere vehicles that deliver instruction but do not influence student achievement any more than the truck that delivers our groceries causes changes in our nutrition". Robert Kozma states that certain media "possess particular characteristics that make them both more and less suitable for the accomplishment of certain kinds of learning tasks". Both have agreeable stances in some sense but taking into consideration the day and age the debate initiated to where we stand now I must side with Kozma. Media, when used appropriately, can definitely enhance any lesson or skill that needs to be taught. It can also add various types of differentiation for students with different needs. Technology allows for an extension of what a student needs to learn or wants to explore on their own which is definite proof that technology CAN heavily influence learning. The keywords of course would be to teach children the basics and ethics of using media appropriately to ensure than learning is effectively taking place. Having an abundance of technology tools doesn't necessarily mean that effective teaching and learning is happening. It is up to educators to take advantage of these tools to try to reach every child's learning goals and to create independent learners and critical thinkers. There are so many more things that educators can create with technology than a paper handout could ever possibly do. Reference: The media debate. (2012, August 30). Retrieved November 19, 2016, from http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/The_media_debate