Integration or transformation, what is our current goal for educational technology? Are we just trying to acquire more technology for our classes, or are we also trying to truly use technology to change the very definition of education? For years now our districts have been doing an admirable job integrating technology into our schools, but as our classes fill up with more and more devices what is the next step? The next phase of educational technology is one of no longer questioning the level of devices, but now it's the level of learning that is achieved with these new tools that is becoming our new focus. In other words, we're transitioning from asking just about the prevalence of technology, but now also what is its correlation to higher order thinking.
In addition to focusing on the higher order thinking skills, we are quickly moving away from a model of learning that is based in transitioning from analogue to digital methods. Consequently, we are entering an educational realm that doesn't have to try to substitute devices for paper or redefine presentations as interactive online communities instead of slideshows. At a recent staff meeting we were asked to take out a sheet of paper and the overwhelming majority of the staff looked at each other in an awkward silence because hardly anyone had paper just devices. We have the technology, the digital resources at our fingertips are growing everyday and teachers are becoming more highly trained to meet the demands of technology. Now it's imperative that we begin making learning with these devices more than a mere novel exception, but instead a purposeful routine of everyday excellence. We're getting the tools, it's now time we ensure that we're learning at high levels with them.
Wil Codilla is a public school teacher, designer and speaker. @WilCodilla
In addition to focusing on the higher order thinking skills, we are quickly moving away from a model of learning that is based in transitioning from analogue to digital methods. Consequently, we are entering an educational realm that doesn't have to try to substitute devices for paper or redefine presentations as interactive online communities instead of slideshows. At a recent staff meeting we were asked to take out a sheet of paper and the overwhelming majority of the staff looked at each other in an awkward silence because hardly anyone had paper just devices. We have the technology, the digital resources at our fingertips are growing everyday and teachers are becoming more highly trained to meet the demands of technology. Now it's imperative that we begin making learning with these devices more than a mere novel exception, but instead a purposeful routine of everyday excellence. We're getting the tools, it's now time we ensure that we're learning at high levels with them.
Wil Codilla is a public school teacher, designer and speaker. @WilCodilla