Since taking a course on digital technology in the
classroom, I have been spending a lot of my time thinking about
technology. This week I was thinking
about how digital technology is a tool for teachers to use and like any other
tool it can be used well, for its intended purpose; or used poorly, perhaps for
an unrelated purpose; or simply forgotten about and left unused.
Computers and tablets and interactive whiteboards are tools
and not an end in themselves. Simply
having this technology will not make us a better teacher. In fact, it is quite possible that it makes
us a worse one. Consider the scenario of
a teacher who only uses their digital resources for "drill and kill"
activities. Or the teacher who spends a
disproportionate time in their class trying to solve technical glitches thus
losing valuable teaching time. On the
other hand, using something new such as a new digital resource can help us
reflect on our teaching, help us reach students in different ways and may
reinvigorate our lessons.
Recently I read a blog post (read it here) that had the
following quote,
"No one who
ever bought a drill wanted a drill. They wanted a hole. It's the task that
matters."
As soon as I read this quote, I felt the figurative light bulb go
on. That is how I feel about digital
technology. I want it to DO something
for me to improve my teaching. I can make "holes" right now without
any digital tools, but if I get some new tools will my "holes" be
better or easier?
The blogger rephrased this quote
to read:
"No teacher who ever
bought an iPad just wanted an iPad. She wanted an engaged learner. It's the
student that matters."
This made me pause. Is this
what I think? I definitely want my
students to be engaged in their learning.
I want to make learning easier, more effective and more enjoyable--but
that is not all. I teach in a Christian
school. The reason that I teach is to
bring covenant children to a greater understanding of God and His
creation. It is God that matters. I
don't mean to split hairs, in the end, I do agree with her quote. The student also matters because God created them and they are image-bearers of
Him.
I want to be conscious of how I teach and why I teach. I want to use technology to improve my teaching
and I want to be wise in how I use
it. If my school invests money in
digital technology then I want to be a good steward of that and use it to its
potential. That will take time and
practice. I want to do this because when
I teach well I serve God and honour Him.
You are
worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you
created all things, and by your will they were created and have their
being. Revelation 4: 11
Very well written, Marsha... i enjoyed the quotes and can definitely sense the searching and striving you are doing to fully understand how to implement technology well in your classroom. I really appreciate the reason why you teach in a Christian school... and that is why we send our kids to a Christian school :) What could be more important than that!? And your last paragraph is so true, as well!
ReplyDeleteGreat quote! I will be "borrowing" that one!
ReplyDeleteThat puts things into perspective doesn't it!
Marsha thanks for sharing such insightful quotes! It really makes you think about why we implement and use tools in the first place (whether digital or not). You also raised very valid points about how technology can be used ineffectively or poorly. So in addition to incorporating digital tools, it is of paramount concern to consider what the tools are being used to accomplish.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Great use of inserting image into your text!
No person that ever started a blog wanted a blog, they wanted a conversation....
ReplyDeleteI'm clearly not the first one to love the quotes you shared. They really are applicable to what we are learning in class! Great find :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post, Marsha. Great job adding the picture :) I totally agree with you on the struggle of taking the time to learn and implement technology in the classroom and feeling like you are wasting valuable teaching moments.
ReplyDeleteYes, I completely agree that technology can be ineffective or poorly used. On a side note, I remember in grade 12 that one of my teachers would always tell us to open our text books and answer the questions at the end of the chapter. Very rarely did he provide notes for us or even conduct lessons. Once we opened our textbooks he would then play on his computer at the back of the classroom. What I am trying to say is that technology can also be a distraction in classrooms for both the students and the teachers, while negatively effecting the students learning.
ReplyDelete