The definition of technology provided by Roblyer (2012) resonated with me the most. Technology is defined as “us- our tools, our methods, and our creative attempts to solve problems in our environment”. It is the tools that we use to engage our students and enhance their learning experiences. Technology is more than just a computer, ipad or other digital tools; it is also a pencil, blocks and other tangible items that students use to solve a problem. At times, these methods and the necessary tool are obvious (a calculator for a math problem) and other times it requires the imagination of our students (creating a raft out of pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks and clay).
As educators, our role is to provide students with the tools and background knowledge necessary for them to utilize these tools. It is then the student’s responsibility to take the tool, information and connect this with their learned experiences to solve a presented problem. This is accomplished through student-centered, project based, collaborative learning opportunities where students are engaged and passionate about the learning. Furthermore, technology is best utilized when it allows students to explore questions beyond the walls of the classroom and they are able to apply real life skills to a problem.
Shayla
Shayla,
I love your point about a combination of technology and teaching students to use all tools and technology at their disposal. How do we do this? How do facilitate the experiences when we don’t have the tools and technology?
Hi Allison
1. I would say that we can teach this to our students through explicit project based learning. For example, if we want them to create a raft to float on water we can a)teach students about density of materials b)how to research for videos and other tools online for ideas.
2. I think one of the greatest problems for many educators is the lack of funding for these tools. In an ideal world we would have access to all of the technology tools we need but the reality is we need to work with what we have and make the best of it.
Shayla
I love that your constructivist definition of technology focuses on the “use” rather than the actual device itself. I love that you have such a broad range of technology in order to impact student learner, however do you think that eventually we need to ensure digital technology is not left as optional. That at some point as effective as the pencil may be that we eventually need to make sure that teachers are responsible for opening the door to other problem solving technologies in their classrooms?
Hi Trisha
I agree. I think that teachers at this point should be opening the doors for new digital technologies and experimenting with their students. This conversation has come up quite often in my courses as researchers try to explain why teachers are so hesitant to utilize these tools. And I do believe that we will get there one day, I just wonder what it will take to get us there completely.
Shayla
Hello Shayla,
You are definitely speaking my language here. When you talk about the tangible items teachers use being things like pencils and calculators me senses perk up. I’ve always been annoyed with teachers that say things like “I don’t believe in technology in the classroom.” Then, when you point out the fact they are using overhead projectors and other items its revealed that they indeed do believe in technology in the classroom. What they are really referring to is computers, tablets, apps etc. The thing is that the classroom has always been advancing technologically and it always will. The difficulty is in finding and using the right technology and this is where the fear is. Many try to ignore the inevitable but the world continues to change whether we accept this or not.