Pedagogy Driven Tech
On Mondays I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider.
As we approach the end of the first month of school I think it is important to take a moment to step back and reflect. September is always a whirlwind for anyone involved in education and it can be easy to get swept up in the demands of: student needs, caregiver needs, classroom goals, school goals, divisional goals.. and the list goes on and on. However, it is important to remember that everything we do in the classroom should be done with thoughtful direction, including the integration of technology.
If you have begun to integrate various tech tools into your classroom programming, or are planning to now that you are beginning to feel a sense of routine, why? and how?
1. Do we think of technology as a solution in itself or as a means to an end?
– adding technology without altering our pedagogy is not a solution
2. Do we assume that using technology is an either/or proposition?
– technologies can blend, one does not have to completely replace another
3. Have we identified those processes and activities we want improved and looked at how technology can facilitate those actions?
– technology makes learning opportunities more readily accessible and flexible
4. Are we doing the same things with technology or are we taking advantage of the unique capabilities of technology and redesigning our activities?
– don’t replicate pencil and paper tasks; add other elements to enhance the learning opportunity
As educators it is our duty to implement technology with purpose that is backed by strong pedagogy and rooted in curricular theory. While technology alone cannot increase student achievement in the classroom being aware of the factors affecting student learning, accounting for your classroom’s unique variables, identifying a purpose, and backing all plans with strong pedagogy and theory will allow for the highest chance of success.
To learn more about Michael Fullan’s thoughts on pedagogy and technology I recommend his work that is shared freely on his website or the YouTube videos embedded below: