It is not hard to catch the concerns in my Twitter feed regarding the lack of technology and social media use by teachers and in classrooms. There are often many points and issues to consider and I don’t claim to know and understand all of them. The statements on blog posts and in comments reveal the diversity, if not polarization, of positions and thoughts in this area.
Consider these posts by Scott McLeod (@mcleod), for example, and the comments generated:
What are educator’s professional obligations to learn from social media channels?
And this report on social media’s role in education.
Also, I found the chart that Keith Rispin (@Keithrispin) provided at the end of this post very helpful, although he admits it may be somewhat simplistic.
The more I read the more I am often confused about what to support. As a parent, I could choose not to worry about this, especially since parents are often looked upon as the barrier for change in this area. Andrew Campbell (@acampbell99), a teacher and parent, posed a good question in a tweet recently, “If parents were demanding #edtech would that speed change?” I don’t believe so. I think it would have to be a collective response and collaboration of stakeholders to really affect speed of change (in education standards :)). I could be wrong though certainly.
I may be “old-fashioned”, but I continue to look for reassurance around these points and questions:
- Is the technology use or device developmentally appropriate for children/students? E.g. Do young children really need the tools that connect globally? Would we introduce needless anxiety through exposure to situations or issues beyond their homes and community which they are not ready for and don’t need to be ready for?
- How does the use of the technology/device or social media enhance a learning experience or opportunities compared to not using it? How are the outcomes different?
- Arguments need to convince me that it is good for learning, not just because it makes teaching easier or more interesting (which could be addressed other ways), or that it “motivates” students.
- As children/students experience and access more technology, what will they not experience? And how will we know that it is okay? Who will take responsibility if we miss something essential?
As I read the concerns about both parent and teacher resistance to technology and social media use in schools/classrooms, I wonder if it is really understood what assurances are needed. Are the assurances that will build confidence and support similar or different for “resistant” parents and teachers? Are parents and teachers comfortable enough to share these thoughts?
I invite any thoughts: Is there an “it” or a “why” that you need to hear to better embrace and support the use of technology and social media in classrooms and/or for professional/personal learning? Thank you for reading my thoughts.
SheilaSpeaking 
Oct 26, 2012 @ 16:00:51
Thanks for linking to my post Sheila. I kinda figured it would be a non starter but it seems to have resonated with some.
I don’t think you are alone.
The questions far out number the answers at this point and I think you know where I stand on the topic… I think?
I find I keep looking at the issue from the lens of a parent and that lens is telling me to err on the side of Old School Book Lernin.
The reason for this is simple and twofold, I believe that old school skills will continue to trump digital skills for many years to come. I see it with my own kids and I see it in my classroom on a daily basis.
Secondly, digital skills are not all that difficult to acquire. Yes! we need to teach kids to participate in the digital world in a constructive and positive way but we have to guard against putting digital skills before those old school foundational skills that got us here. Yes we need to prepare our kids for the 21 Century but we can’t discount the skills of centuries past.
As I am continually saying. Technology amplifies foundational skills, it does not diminish the need for them.
Oct 28, 2012 @ 21:26:46
Thanks, Keith. I always appreciate what you share on your blog regarding your experiences and stand on things. I learn a lot from my kids regarding this too, but they are older and have come through their own unique school experiences. I am open to listening to other’s stories and experiences from different contexts and age groups always, but it can get overwhelming at times. Thanks for the reassurance that I am not alone with my questions!
Oct 27, 2012 @ 12:36:45
Sheila
Wonderful post. As much as I see the need for technology in our schools it must rooted within best pedagogical practice. For example, in my experience, I see that the most effective teachers are rooted at the place where fostering positive and caring relationships intersect with having “high expectations” of students.
Technology and the Internet are providing an abundance of resources to enhance the repertoire of proven pedagogical tools (eg social media can be used as an effective tool to encourage student feedback) for teachers.
In my opinion, what effective teachers do is at the heart of learning. Technology can enrich that.
Oct 28, 2012 @ 21:32:43
This is reassuring to hear too, Johnny! Thanks for your comment! I have really enjoyed what you share about your school on your blog as well. Thank you for keeping the dialogue going!
Technology Resistant | Using IT in the MDHS Classroom | Scoop.it
Oct 28, 2012 @ 12:16:46
Oct 30, 2012 @ 11:14:13
Hi Sheila,
I like your bulleted list of questions. All important and appropriate. And, as you note, it’s all about balance. I, too, tell my kids to walk away from screens and go outside, explore nature, play with Legos, read books, etc.
Of course most school classrooms are very imbalanced but it’s not toward TOO MUCH technology. We continue to provide primarily analog learning environments for our children when the world’s information, learning, and economic landscapes are primarily digital…
I think most ed tech advocates are not diminishing the importance of foundational skills. I think instead they are recognizing that the list of foundational skills has expanded quite a bit. If we thus only do what we’ve done in the past, those things are still necessary but not sufficient.
I’ll also note that it’s very difficult for tech-unknowledgeable educators to make informed decisions about when/why/how to use digital technologies with students. So they don’t, to our students’ detriment.
Nov 01, 2012 @ 00:15:10
Thanks, Scott. You have given more more to think about. I hope the support for good decisions can continue ahead, as well as lots of open conversation. I sense both a need for consistency and balance. I guess comfort levels will always need to be considered through all this.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Nov 20, 2012 @ 23:00:48