Technology's Role in Education
Technology plays a large role on teaching and learning. The courses I have taken while pursuing my MSET degree have helped shape my thoughts on the specifics of technology's role in the classroom. The major aspects of this philosophy center around relationships, consistency, and growth.
Relationships Relationships should be at the center of teaching and learning. “If we want meaningful change, we have to make a connection to the heart before we can make a connection to the mind." George Couros, author of Innovators Mindset. Students are not computers, we can not just shove information at them and expect them to download it. We have to show them we care about them, not just the information we are teaching them. Technology can help us do this, but the way the technology is used is more important than what technology we choose to use. Technology should be used to enhance teaching and the relationships we form. |
Consistency
Consistency in education is also important, and my first year of teaching I realized how difficult it can be to stay consistent. Technology can offer great ways to hold us accountable and help us with that struggle. Different technologies can help with grading, with tracking behavior, with reminders for tasks.
There doesn't need to be hundreds of different technology tools being used at a time. This is another branch of consistency that became very apparent during online learning with COVID. There are so many great educational technologies that exist, but finding a few that meet the needs of the students is important. Managing fewer technologies makes it easier on the teacher and on the students. In my school, we use the LMS Google Classroom which allows students to log into most sites with their Google account. This makes technology easier since they only have to remember one password. Having a LMS that is easy to navigate is vital to providing teacher the ability to effectively integrate technology in the classroom.
Growth
One of the most important aspects to consider in regard to education technology is whether or not growth will occur with its use. My favorite concept from the MSET is that "technology is a tool, not a rule." An educational technology tool should only be integrated if it is going to make a lesson better. Sometimes this happens by replacing paper and pencil with a word processing software, making it easier to edit and comment. Sometimes this happens by taking an online quiz in the form of a game, rather than the traditional method, providing instant feedback for students to learn from. Sometimes this happens when a project is transformed thanks to the ability to reach out and work with industry professionals, helping students form relationships within their communities and explore the given feild. In each of these senarios technology enhances the opportunities for the students and allows them to grow.
Consistency in education is also important, and my first year of teaching I realized how difficult it can be to stay consistent. Technology can offer great ways to hold us accountable and help us with that struggle. Different technologies can help with grading, with tracking behavior, with reminders for tasks.
There doesn't need to be hundreds of different technology tools being used at a time. This is another branch of consistency that became very apparent during online learning with COVID. There are so many great educational technologies that exist, but finding a few that meet the needs of the students is important. Managing fewer technologies makes it easier on the teacher and on the students. In my school, we use the LMS Google Classroom which allows students to log into most sites with their Google account. This makes technology easier since they only have to remember one password. Having a LMS that is easy to navigate is vital to providing teacher the ability to effectively integrate technology in the classroom.
Growth
One of the most important aspects to consider in regard to education technology is whether or not growth will occur with its use. My favorite concept from the MSET is that "technology is a tool, not a rule." An educational technology tool should only be integrated if it is going to make a lesson better. Sometimes this happens by replacing paper and pencil with a word processing software, making it easier to edit and comment. Sometimes this happens by taking an online quiz in the form of a game, rather than the traditional method, providing instant feedback for students to learn from. Sometimes this happens when a project is transformed thanks to the ability to reach out and work with industry professionals, helping students form relationships within their communities and explore the given feild. In each of these senarios technology enhances the opportunities for the students and allows them to grow.