I ran across this blog today. http://innovativelearningdesigns.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/ipads-a-bolt-or-a-lever-for-authentic-learning/ It comes from a fellow educator, Sue Hellman who attended the same webinar that I did last week. I am truly becoming connected to the virtual world, no longer someone standing on the sidelines watch people interact. It was thrilling to read a blog and know exactly what this person was describing and feeling I was sharing an experience.
The reason it has motivated me to write about this experience again is because she has started a dialogue I have long had in my head about technology. As much as technology dazzles and engages students, a what point does it merely become something we use to get students' attention. Hellman describes this as "a bolt to what we are already teacher." (Hellman,2011) I think this is a reasonable approach in the elementary grades. However, if technology does not give students experience in real innovative instruction than it will lose it appeal and effectiveness. The point being that technology must help students become critical thinkers or problem solvers.
I think this is the next big challenge for technology in education. It is great to have all these tools and students do enjoy using them but it must go beyond that for technology to have a measurable impact on student achievement. Although critical thinking and problem solving are not part of most standardized tests it is what industry looks for in new employees. These skills will also help students respond to the challenges the ever-changing workforce of the future.
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