Teaching is a second career for me. In my "previous life" I spent a great deal of time helping my clients find the "best tech" for their needs. I found myself, quite often, recommending what I preferred to use. It took several years for me to realize that what was best for me was not always best for everyone. The reason was simple - I was a producer of information, they were users of information. Two different paths that only had the information in common. After I figured this out my outlook on technology changed completely. I realized that often we think of technology in a general sense or as a thing (for lack of a better word). In reality it is many things and it is totally dependent on the need of the user.
In education, like my previous career in data management, technology also plays several roles. From the perspective of the teacher it can be used as an instruction delivery system, a way to organize our lives, a communication method, or as a means to increase our knowledge. From a student point of view it is also many things. It can be a learning tool, it can be a creative tool, and it can be a delivery system for their product.
The P21 Framework breaks down the essential skills needed by both teachers and students. They categorize the skills needed as Life & Career, Learning & Innovation, Information, Media, & Technology, and Content & Knowledge. As teachers we need to find the balance between these while supporting our students in an engaging way.
I believe that ultimately education technology should be a way to strengthen our teaching methods and enhance our students experience in school.
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