Ugh, the copier is broken again. How is it already broken? A common frustration and exclamation heard the first day back at school after a long break.The Internet is running so slow!
My Chromebook won't work!
Well, did you charge it last night?
No.
We have all experienced frustrations related to technology. From infrastructure problems to Comcast issues, from updates in webtools that we use or the free version no longer being free, technology will inevitably change, fail us and can lead to a significant amount of headaches and obstacles. As an instructional coach, I have heard countless laments from staff members, and I have undoubtedly felt them, too. It is certainly therapeutic and has led to wonderful conversations about how we can solve problems, create better experiences, and bolster learning outcomes for our students.
Here's a secret: It's not about the tech.
For as tech-focused as I have been labeled, I firmly believe that quality instruction is derived from the relationships we build and the environment that we create. I am not formally trained in informational technology or computer science; I'm merely tech-curious and stubborn enough to seek out answers to the challenges and problems placed in my path.
One of my favorite articles from Edutopia in 2018, "Welcoming Students with a Smile" emphasized the importance of greeting students at the door. Tell students that you care about them and taking the time to get to know them as people pays far greater divot ends than using the latest and most "up-to-date" technology available.
Make the learning targets/objectives relevant to their lives. Close the Chromebook to have a conversation, and allow for time to foster and cultivate critical life skills that so often get tossed aside labeled as "soft skills" (Read: "Public Speaking is No Longer a Soft Skill"). Communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation are all skills that will help our society progress and will provide greater career opportunities for our students as they venture into the "real world" in pursuit of their passions.
Technology in the classroom has provided students with opportunities to engage more with course content, demonstrate their knowledge by writing, creating, and communication, and has granted access to information that allows students to drive their learning. When used ineffectively or without a true understanding of how a tool can enhance student learning, however, technology can take away from student learning experiences. My goal for 2019 is to continue to reflect on how to use technology strategically and with a purpose. Using technology for the sake of using technology or to adhere to a standard that some person has created in his mind is not necessarily best practices and can negatively impact both student and teacher perception of a learning experience or even an entire course.
How do we evaluate what the effective use of technology in the classroom is? I have grappled with this question for a majority of this school year as I have engaged in as many conversations as I could with colleagues and students about what works best for them regarding course organization, the frequency of use, teacher expectations, and access to tools.
The overwhelming response to what significantly interests students stems back to the formative tools such as Kahoot, Quizlet, and GimKit. Students tend to gravitate toward formative assessment gaming tools for general review experiences. They enjoy having opportunities to play and compete with their peers, which makes studying less of a chore.
Teachers seek to engage students and use technology to make learning more efficient for both students and teachers alike. Having the ability to share content, provide feedback, and quickly communicate with students has increased student engagement with course content and allows students to demonstrate their knowledge in more ways than just a test. Teachers can challenge students to create and communicate. As a shift in how we assess students continue to occur, teachers have started using video tools such as WeVideo, FlipGrid, and Screencastify to create learning resources and challenge students to demonstrate knowledge in unique and personal ways.
Providing feedback continues to become more efficient and easy. Students learn most from feedback that is immediate, detailed, and specific. Having a tool such as Google Classroom to post private comments, grade, and share back to students has allowed for frequent communication and access to materials for students while allowing teachers to see their students' work and growth over time.
The amount of evolution that has occurred in educational technology in the last five years is astonishing and has allowed me to create unique experiences for my students (and grade more effectively). The tools available will continue to evolve and adapt to the growing needs of students and teachers. What we will use most frequently in five years may not even exist today. As our world evolves, so too will the tools in our educational tool belts. Regardless of the direction that education takes, it is important to remember not to become fixated with the tools themselves because they are merely one vehicle to help our students arrive at their learning destinations. Students can always hop on another metaphorical bus.
Quality instruction at its heart stems back to the relationship between students and a teacher. When we connect with students emotionally, they are far more likely to join us on the journey of knowledge acquisition. They will learn more and be motivated to engage in deeper ways; They will even begin to drive their learning. It's not about the tech.
No comments:
Post a Comment