Technology and its related tools (smartphones, computers, laptops, tablet, smart this and that, etc), are being developed so rapidly that it's not uncommon for a particular piece of technology to become obsolete within a year or so. Sure, your iPod mini may still be functional, but who wants to use that when you have an iPhone that can play your music and so much more. Now, how do we educate students who have come accustomed to holding a whole world of information in the palm of their hand? I believe it is the job of the Technology Integration Specialist to work with teachers to create learning objectives that are not "Googleable". After all, isn't that the whole point of technology in schools? We should be using technology to help our students create media and use critical thinking skills to solve real world problems. Now this is definitely a paradigm shift from the teacher being the holder of knowledge. In this type of classroom, the teacher needs to give students the freedom to think, create, and come up with those important questions that they're use to simply answering.
In order to accomplish this, a TIS must be familiar with content standards, and work with teachers to integrate ISTE and/or state framework technology goals into the different content areas. By conferencing with content area groups and speaking with teachers about how they teach their curriculum, the TIS can start to brainstorm ideas with teachers as to how technology could make learning goals more accessible to students. Through these conversations, the TIS can also help teachers create lessons that shift the paradigm from teacher centered, to student centered. Instead of the teacher giving a lecture on how to add fractions, have students break up into groups and create their own presentations. Students can watch videos on the process and look at other teacher selected resources, then remix those ideas into their own lecture. The TIS can be an integral part of this process.
I believe the TIS also plays an important role in helping teachers use technology for assessment. While this is a crucial part of the lesson planning process, I wanted to separate this role out from that umbrella because of its importance. There are an abundance of tools out there to help teachers assess students in both formal and informal ways. There are games (Kahoot!) that will save student data and send it right to your Google Drive to review. My students use to beg me to play these assessment games, and who can say no to a game that helps students learn and simultaneously gives incredible feedback to help teachers reflect on their teaching and student achievement. These games like Kahoot and Socrative show students what they know, and like the MacArthur Foundation video stated, "They want to be measured- The want to see how much they are improving". Technology allows teachers to measure student progress at the click of a button- literally. This allows teachers to take more snapshots of student progress, which in turn enables teachers to create learning opportunities that are more tailored to a particular group of students.
Ideally, the TIS is collaborating with teachers to help create this paradigm shift by integrating technology. Some teachers, however, may just need the TIS to play the role of a coach that they can bounce ideas off of. Others may want to plan with the TIS, but may not need them present to teach a lesson. A few may just want you to fix their projector, and while you may do so with a smile to help form a trusting relationship, you should also kindly remind them that the next time it happens, it's best to send an email to the IT department.
For me, the argument around technology shouldn't be if students need to "power down" and stow their devices when coming to school, but rather, how can teachers and schools empower students to use technology in appropriate ways for learning. It is the role of the Technology Integration Specialist to be a leader in answering that question.
References
Rethinking Learning: The 21st Century Learner | MacArthur Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2015, from http://youtu.be/c0xa98cy-Rw
Jacquie:
ReplyDeleteI really like your mention of this:
For me, the argument around technology shouldn't be if students need to "power down" and stow their devices when coming to school, but rather, how can teachers and schools empower students to use technology in appropriate ways for learning. It is the role of the Technology Integration Specialist to be a leader in answering that question.
I do not remember where I read it, so I cannot provide a source, but I will try to paraphrase.
One way to ensure that students are utilizing technology appropriately for learning is to prepare them to make safely well-intentioned mistakes. When this happens, we can be sure that the next time around that the students will strive more toward mastery, especially when using a device or tool they are unfamiliar with.
Great blog!
Jacquie,
ReplyDeleteThe thing you said that stood out to me the most was "I believe it is the job of the Technology Integration Specialist to work with teachers to create learning objectives that are not "Googleable". After all, isn't that the whole point of technology in schools? We should be using technology to help our students create media and use critical thinking skills to solve real world problems." With ever-present technology, we need to stay away from the knowledge level of questioning. Students don't understand that when they get out into the "real-word" that they aren't asked multiple questions in the work place, or simply asked to relay back simple information. This really reminds me of a youtube video of a person going into an interview and their answer to certain questions are "C". If you haven't seen it you need to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY2mRM4i6tY.
Jillian