We have to stop seeing learning from an instructional standpoint so that the focus is on designing opportunities for exploration and creation; this is where technology holds its greatest value.
I feel like 1.) we need to stop buying technology without analyzing the purpose and benefits it will afford teaching and learning. 2.) Schools and classrooms need to focus on the content/standard, then the pedagogy and then how technology may or may not enhance and strengthen the learning. 3.) Schools need to provide more PD on instructional design, where technology is an integral part, but not the entire focus. It should be integrated naturally and in a way that will support learning and not just using it for the sake of using it. 4.) Standards and testing will always exist, but if we stop focusing on teaching to the tests, and truly focus on lesson design with the appropriate integration of technolgy, student achievement will be inevitable.
Technology is not the focus. Learning is. Students need to learn through discovery and they need to be responsible for their own learning. Technology is just a tool. Like a pencil.
We need to stop focusing on teaching and more on learning. When ‘it’s all about me’ as a teacher, I get wrapped up in creating an amazing lesson that may include stunning technology tools – but that absolutely doesn’t insure learning. When the focus is on the learning – the tools fall into place. This is easy to say and much harder to do! 🙂 And schools need to stop focusing on the quick fix (buying equipment) and invest in the time to move teachers to a new place. When teachers are empowered amazing things happen!!!
While I agree with other postings that technology cannot be the focus: the student has to be the focus, I would stop giving teachers a rigid schedule with classes and meetings every day and concentrate on giving teachers the time, freedom and flexibility to experiment and play in order to be creative. The 80/20 model appeals to many teachers — to think outside the box, to have time to experiment with ideas and creatively problem solve with their colleagues. In order to “share the vision” and “live the vision” we as teachers have to have built in reflection time — and students need the connections and timely feedback. Given the fast paced schedules, data driven programs, one to one technology initiatives, and classes back to back (an assembly line schedule) — students and teachers are victims — it is not supposed to be “drive by” learning or assembly line learning.
The four C’s of the common core are: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Technology is but a tool for twenty-first century learners to use — technology can help when applied authentically and with purpose. But you can also achieve the four C’s using other tools.
I think that PLCs were an attempt to encourage teachers to have the “play” time and to encourage creativity and to plan together. Unfortunately in many districts PLC meetings have become a time to discuss bulletin boards, testing initiatives, newsletters, requirements from the district in the way of paperwork, instead of focusing on the real planning and work of collaboration and project/challenge based learning.
I believe we need to unleash our students with this technology to explore what interests them, be it mathematics, science, technology, social science, literature, whatever. Give them tools, not prescriptions or scripts.
We need to stop allowing IT fears determine access, blocking useful social media. Our ability to coach collaboration with other students, classes, and even professionals within the discipline we are exploring will skyrocket with proper use of social media.
We need to stop the competitive culture and start getting students to work as a learning team. When they all see each other as bringing something to the table a Learning community will be formed with the whole being greater than the sum of the parts
Buying books, making copies, and expecting the same from every student.
We have to stop seeing learning from an instructional standpoint so that the focus is on designing opportunities for exploration and creation; this is where technology holds its greatest value.
I feel like 1.) we need to stop buying technology without analyzing the purpose and benefits it will afford teaching and learning. 2.) Schools and classrooms need to focus on the content/standard, then the pedagogy and then how technology may or may not enhance and strengthen the learning. 3.) Schools need to provide more PD on instructional design, where technology is an integral part, but not the entire focus. It should be integrated naturally and in a way that will support learning and not just using it for the sake of using it. 4.) Standards and testing will always exist, but if we stop focusing on teaching to the tests, and truly focus on lesson design with the appropriate integration of technolgy, student achievement will be inevitable.
We need to give teachers adequate equipment and the time to learn how to use it.
We have to stop making technology the focus of the lesson. We need to treat the technology as if it was the book or paper or a pencil.
Technology is not the focus. Learning is. Students need to learn through discovery and they need to be responsible for their own learning. Technology is just a tool. Like a pencil.
We need to stop focusing on teaching and more on learning. When ‘it’s all about me’ as a teacher, I get wrapped up in creating an amazing lesson that may include stunning technology tools – but that absolutely doesn’t insure learning. When the focus is on the learning – the tools fall into place. This is easy to say and much harder to do! 🙂 And schools need to stop focusing on the quick fix (buying equipment) and invest in the time to move teachers to a new place. When teachers are empowered amazing things happen!!!
While I agree with other postings that technology cannot be the focus: the student has to be the focus, I would stop giving teachers a rigid schedule with classes and meetings every day and concentrate on giving teachers the time, freedom and flexibility to experiment and play in order to be creative. The 80/20 model appeals to many teachers — to think outside the box, to have time to experiment with ideas and creatively problem solve with their colleagues. In order to “share the vision” and “live the vision” we as teachers have to have built in reflection time — and students need the connections and timely feedback. Given the fast paced schedules, data driven programs, one to one technology initiatives, and classes back to back (an assembly line schedule) — students and teachers are victims — it is not supposed to be “drive by” learning or assembly line learning.
The four C’s of the common core are: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Technology is but a tool for twenty-first century learners to use — technology can help when applied authentically and with purpose. But you can also achieve the four C’s using other tools.
I think that PLCs were an attempt to encourage teachers to have the “play” time and to encourage creativity and to plan together. Unfortunately in many districts PLC meetings have become a time to discuss bulletin boards, testing initiatives, newsletters, requirements from the district in the way of paperwork, instead of focusing on the real planning and work of collaboration and project/challenge based learning.
I believe we need to unleash our students with this technology to explore what interests them, be it mathematics, science, technology, social science, literature, whatever. Give them tools, not prescriptions or scripts.
We need to stop allowing IT fears determine access, blocking useful social media. Our ability to coach collaboration with other students, classes, and even professionals within the discipline we are exploring will skyrocket with proper use of social media.
We need to stop the competitive culture and start getting students to work as a learning team. When they all see each other as bringing something to the table a Learning community will be formed with the whole being greater than the sum of the parts