Khaoi Mady

ETEC 525 Dr. Stephen Adams

July 22, 2015

Reflective Journal 2
1. What were some of your most significant experiences?
The second part of our educational trip in Costa Rica provided many
memorable and significant experiences. We received a tour of the
Instructional Technology department at UNA and also got an
understanding of the robotics and engineering school from the Vice
Director of the engineering department. We visited a primary school
and a high school. We watched a robotics class designed for 1st graders
at the primary school and watch the 1st graders present their robotic
creations. At the high school, we toured the school library, the school
grounds, and observed a few classes, including some computer
technology classes. The experience on this part of the educational trip
in Costa Rica showed me the passion that the teachers and parents of
Costa Rica had in student education. The teacher of the 1st grade
robotics class was very passionate about her teachings and also when
the parents showed up for the class presentation, it showed that the
parents are really involved in the educational system. The Vice Director
of the robotics and engineering department was also very passionate
about education. He told us that on his free time, he would visit rural
areas of Costa Rica to teach robotics and get young minds thinking
about engineering.
2. What did you learn about technology and education in Costa Rica?
I learned many things about educational technology in Costa Rica on
the second part of our tour of the countrys educational system.
Students learn robotics starting in the 1st grade and must take a
robotics class at each grade level, through the 6th grade. This is
something specialized for Costa Rica and is not practiced in the USA.
All robotics classes in Costa Rica are designed to teach students basic
programming skills and are tailored specifically for the grade level.
Different logic topics are covered in different grade levels. The average
class size for a technology course for primary school is about 20
students. Robotic projects for young students address social needs
such as environmental and community awareness. For example,
robotic classes for students look to make issues like recycling and
community structural repairs easier.
High school curriculum in Costa Rica trains students how to use basic
computer application skills. This is different than USA. In the USA,

students are asked to turn in assignments with the knowledge that

they already understand how to use the computer application. In Costa
Rica, students learn how to use computer applications from technology
classes, starting from the 7th grade. They learn MS Visual Basics in the
7th grade, computer programming from Scratch in the 8th grade,
PowerPoint in the 9th grade, and the whole MS Office Suite in the 10th
grade.
3. What did you learn about Costa Rica or its culture?
Educational technology is very important in the educational system for
Costa Rica. A big emphasis is put on young students and their
understanding of information technology. This is shown by the primary
schools curriculum to teach robotics and computer science at such a
young age. Also, the courses on computer applications in high school
also shows that in Costa Rica, technology tools are essential in the
education of students for professional skills. Education is very
important. The teachers and parents share the same passion to
educate their children. This was shown by the enthusiasm of the
parents and the passion of the teachers when talking to them about
school curriculum and education.
4. How did these experiences inform your understanding of education,
technology, and culture in the USA?
Education is a big part of culture in Costa Rica and the USA. In both
cultures, education is used as a tool to teach and train the future of the
country to progress society. Aspects of educational technology, both
good and bad, remain similar even in different cultures and countries.
For example, the USA and Costa Rica share the same ideas about
training students how to use computer applications to prepare them
professionally for the future. Also, both countries share the same
problems such as slow adoption of new technology and limited
technology support that causes reluctant use of the technology by
teachers. I think the big picture for technology in education is for it to
enhance the teaching and learning process. Technology should not be
used for the sake of being used.