Technology: An all too often overused buzzword

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If there ever was a word in education that has been so overused yet so misunderstood over the years it would be the word TECHNOLOGY.  Before the introduction of the internet in schools, discussions about technology were only heard faintly coming from the table of Star Trek fans fantasizing about the day when everyone will have a hand held computer they can use to access just about anything.  Guess what, that day has arrived, and now the discussion around technology has reached a fever pitch so loud it can no longer be ignored.  Not even the most hardened traditionalist, who swears by his transparencies, scan-trons,  and Ticonderoga #2 pencils can ignore the swirling cries to upgrade to a 21st century learning model.  However, I caution administrators or school leadership teams who think technology is going to revolutionize their classrooms.

There are some who think merely providing students access to technology is what is going to prepare them to be 21st century learners.  Access to the internet and a device in every student's hand will not magically create a 21st century learning environment for students or teachers.  The hardened traditionalist will simply replace his transparencies with PowerPoint slides, his scan-tron for online multiple-guess assessments, and his trusty #2 pencil with a mouse.  Too often administrators see students using technology and assume its all good.  In addition, teachers who have great teaching strategies, but who may not be technologically inclined are being forced to adopt these new technologies, and in some cases, having to sacrifice the integrity of their teaching philosophy.

Implementing technology among the school districts has become a situation of keeping up with the Jones'.  "Our neighboring district just implemented iPads, we need to get our hands on some of those."  Or, god forbid, "The neighboring districts just implemented iPads and we bought Androids."  Wha wha wha!  My point is, all too often, the conversation revolves around what device should we purchase or what software should we buy.  The conversation needs to start with what teachers have the most effective teaching strategies.  Using those strategies, what technologies could be integrated to enhance learning and engagement even more.  Providing students with a tool to surf the web and type a paper is a good tool, but it hardly prepares them for the 21st century work environment.  I believe technology integration would be much more effective if we rewarded those teachers who are already using effective strategies and letting the excitement and buzz around technology build from within.  This strategy allows the learning to grow from the best seeds in the best soil rather than throwing the seeds out and hoping some of them will sprout.