Classroom Technology Isn’t About Technology
by Joshua Tusin
In this digital age it’s easy to think about the technology that surrounds us everyday and think that we should have that technology in our classrooms, but the reality is that it isn’t about the technology we have in the classroom, but having the best tools to teach and learn. As a really simplified example, consider the overhead projector versus PowerPoint. I suspect many – most? – people would automatically say PowerPoint is better. But in my experience, when teachers used overhead projectors the lesson was interactive because it’s possible to write on the overhead transparencies. The best tool for the teacher may not be the one that uses the latest technology in this case.
Of course there are far more sophisticated technologies and tools available, but at the same time, some technologies don’t really change the lesson or what the student is doing. That’s one of the points Brad Ovenell-Carter makes, saying, for example, that if students prepare a book report as a podcast it’s still a book report. A few days ago I wrote about how PowerPoint isn’t necessarily appropriate for the classroom.
The role of technology in the classroom prompted the Ontario Public School Boards Association to conduct a survey of what and how technology is being used in the classroom in an effort to set some sort of guidelines for appropriate use. The resulting discussion paper (pdf) is a good summary of student and teacher perspectives and needs and hopefully serves as a successful catalyst for discussion.
Maybe it will be long weekend reading and discussion for all of us. In the meantime, what has been good or bad use of technology in your classroom? In your student’s classroom?
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