I get a little frustrated when I hear comments that continually relegate the use of technology in education as something supplemental to teaching learning. I suppose videos like the one above don't help this situation - although the idea of "Learning empowered by technology" makes me feel better.
Nonetheless, I wonder when we will stop seeing "technology" as an "add on" to sound teaching pedagogy.
If we agree that we live in a technology and information rich time, then schools, as places of learning and teachers as agents of learning, need to shift their respective culture and mindset surrounding technology.
The "how" of teaching needs to be embedded, when required and necessary, with technology (it is appropriate and necessary to NOT use technology at times)
My twitter stream is full of #edtech tools and suggestions. But without the necessary pedagogical immersion, we will continue to relegate technology to the equivalent of the annual field trip.
A few weeks ago I came across a tweet by Bill Ferriter @plugusin where wrote
Crappy #edtech choices= schools start by asking, "What do we want to BUY?" instead of, "What do we want kids to DO?"Brilliant! Starting with what students are "doing" with technology is rooted in pedagogy.
So how do we get to a place where technology is embedded within the pedagogical repertoire of teachers?
Here are some things that have worked and things that have failed for us:
- Making the case for a technology embedded pedagogy, supporting teachers with time and resources to learn while at the same time respecting a teachers right to minimal intrusion when it comes professional learning.
- Making the case for a technology embedded class and prescribing how to do it and not providing the necessary supports for teachers to learn
- When teachers think about how technology can assist with specific teaching strategies such as: Identifying similarities and differences, Summarizing, note taking and creating, Homework and practice, Cooperative learning, Setting objectives and providing feedback, Generating and testing hypotheses, Cues, questions, and advance organizers.
- Using technology only to present material lecture style
- Explaining and demonstrating the pedagogical rationale for technology with vivid examples of success.
- Showing specific tech tools without the explaining its purpose or rationale
- Being patient and not forcing it down peoples throats.
- Buying the same technology for everyone at the same time
- Creating the conditions for a technology appetite among teachers and having teachers "knock down my door" with personalized technology requests.
- Buying the same tool or gadget without the proper buy-in - only to have those gadgets either underutilized or not used at all.
- Giving teachers time and resources to learn among themselves for themselves. Creating a climate of "expertise and experimentation" on staff.
- One day, one size fits all workshops
- Being OK when things go wrong
- Over reacting when things don't go right
As we continue to find ways to make learning more relevant and engaging for our students, I hope that we will move away for seeing technology as a mere tool or add on - but an embedded pedagogical reality.