Technology in the classroom

In the current educational climate there is a big push to create “21^st century learners.”  Many teachers I have worked with think this simply means exposing their students to technology based learning tools.  Substantial amounts of money have been invested in providing technology equipment and training to classroom teachers.  The intentions are good, but I think we are falling a bit short.

First, let’s think about what a “21^st century learner” really means.  It’s not just about the technology.  It is molding our students into problem solvers and creative thinkers.  It means we can’t expect them to succeed in this world if all they know is what comes from a text book.  It means taking what they have learned and applying it to real word problems.  "To be literate today involves acquiring new skills, including those of using technology, understanding science, having global awareness, and most important, having the ability to keep learning." (Solomon & Schrum, 2007)

“Constructivist learning theory tells us that we learn in a variety of ways. The more opportunities we have, and the more actively engaged we are, the richer our understanding. Good teachers have always used experience as a valuable instructional tool; that is why we arrange field trips and hands-on projects.” (Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, 1999).   So the question is, how does technology create learning experiences? 

Many teachers, including myself, have the technical skills needed, but lack direction on how to incorporate it in the classroom.  “New technologies can help people visualize difficult-to-understand concepts. Students can work with visualization and modeling, increasing their understanding and the likelihood of transfer from school to nonschool settings.” (9 Technology to Support Learning, pg. 206)  Technology is not the key to the learning experience.  It should be used as an infrastructure to make teaching productive.

References

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: New tools, new schools. (1st ed., pp. 7-44). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). Learning as a personal event: A brief introduction to constructivism. Retrieved from http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/intro2c.html

"9 Technology to Support Learning." How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School: Expanded Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2000."The romanticized view of technology is that its mere presence in schools will enhance student learning and achievement."