Technology is funny- it’s kind of a big deal. Everybody wants it. Most people have it. Some people know what to do with it. And everybody assumes it will make their life easier. The assumption in education is that it is necessary for two reasons: 1) to prepare students for a future in a technologically advanced world; And 2) students will learn better with it. The second is the one is what I find troubling. Too often what we find sexy is the lure of  schools with 1:1 iPads, state of the art digital media labs and workshops with 3-Dprinters. While I think these tools are incredible and have the potential for increased engagement, I want to know how they are being leveraged for deeper learning. How are they being used in addition to… or embedded in meaningful ways?

We must acknowledge that technology has the ability to not just open, but close doors as well. I watched an interesting documentary on Steve Jobs recently that noted when he integrated (not invented) the iPhone he and his team had no idea how isolating it would become for users. Or how about the online classroom where typed chats have completed replaced traditional social human interactions? The list is plentiful. There are so many ways in which if we are not careful, technology could close students off and stifle their learning, rather than open it open and enhance it.

Here are 3 Examples of technology opening doors in places where, without attention, technology could easily close the doors to learning deeply:

1. WolframAlpha-I just learned about this incredible academic search engine from Alan November. He recently shared the powerful ways in which this technological tool can empower teachers and students to explore new heights of inquiry in the classroom. However, if mindless questions and tasks are assigned to students it can also replace low-level thinking entirely.
2. Verso-an interesting digital platform for student discourse that could potentially increase student participation, however if used as the sole form of discussion and reflection could also limit student interaction and ability to co-construct knowledge. Side Note: I appreciate that when I heard the team fro Verso speak they mentioned that this tool is not intended to replace discussion, but to serve as another vehicle for discussion.
3. Online templates for student projects-I recently worked with a teacher who was planning to use an online template for an upcoming project. I suggested that the teacher have students do a model by hand first-like with crayons and poster paper. She looked at me like I was a dinosaur! I said “well, have them use their critical thinking to come up with what they want, then look for a template that matches THEIR thinking and ideas, rather than the other way around”. Ahhhh yes… Let’s make those kids think!

So maybe play around with what technology is in your classroom-I know in  my humanities classroom room we used to talk about writing utensils, art materials and power tools as technology. And rethink when it is being used. Is it replacing or enhancing student thinking? Is it getting students one step closer to deeper learning?

 

Photo credits:

https://www.adaptemy.com/edtech-the-tool-not-the-goal/

http://expatspost.com/creative/the-writing-life-opening-doors/