Quote… regarding technology and its use in education
“The teacher should not have to decide whether to use technology or teach the curriculum.
The lesson should integrate both of these elements.” by Jessica Funchess, August 2008
Sometimes the simplest stated sentences have an impact. When I reflect upon my observations of the integration of technology into schools and / or programs I’ve worked with, it has not been ’smooth’ (I daresay by anyone’s definition).
Jessica’s comments above highlight an oft-omitted philosophy. For many people, there is the computer lab, there is the media center, and there are teachers with content to teach. They are not necessarily part of a shared picture. Meshing the curriculum with technology has had many false starts in many districts (my opinion) — and it’s difficult to regroup and move forward from fasle starts.
I do feel more and more schools and programs — and certainly more publishers/producers — are rethinking, retooling, redesigning. Certainly some students and parents and teachers and administrators and community members have noted meaningful learning integrating technology with curriculum.
I confess that I sometimes fall into the trap of getting excited by a technological tool –a new program, a new website, a new widget, a new whatever — and want to play and to share — it is tempting to do so without throroughly planning — to “make” a space to use and share and ’show off’ a new ‘toy’ — but those are the times when I remind myself that the learner comes first — the purpose of the lesson comes first — and the technology is not usually the main lesson. If it does enrich, enhance in a relevant, meaningful way, then it does not belong as a complicating feature in the curriculum.
[It will stay on my lists, though, and often in the back of my mind, and I will be seeking ways to integrate more and more technology -- as motivators, as useful lifeskill practice, as timesavers, as avenues toward transformative learning experiences.]
Comments? Thoughts? Reactions?
holly
