There have been many great postings by classmates on this topic, and I have enjoyed reading them. When I was considering what to write about this topic, I first looked at my own definitions for each word. When I think of education, I think of an institution that one has attended (or is attending), and the credentials that a person has earned or will earn (high school diploma, bachelor’s degree, etc).

When I think of technology, I think of tools that can be used to improve the quality of life. The book that I am reading for Dr. Lennex’s class by Timothy Newby, titled Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning, described technology on page 13 as “the systematic application of scientific or other organized knowledge to practical tasks.” I like their definition better.

When I think of culture, I think of a particular social group with a given sets of ideas, values, beliefs, customs, and sense of community.  Culture determines how receptive individuals can be to new ideas, activities, and theories.

So how do the three relate to each other? I believe that for technology and education to be successful, it has to have a fertile culture in which to grow. The people invested in the culture can determine how successful or unsuccessful new ideas are. I base this on my experience of the past week, working with students and preparing them for the ACT in March. Students who have a positive outlook on education and learning appreciate the time taken to prepare them. Students who are hard to motivate and have an obvious disdain for school just randomly guess on diagnostic tests and don’t put forth any real effort.  The learning takes place with students who were fostered in a more positive culture (instilled with valuing education).

I rate education the second strongest influence of the three.  If a good culture exists, and the members of the education community are supportive, then technology can work for the greater good of its members.