A reporter recently asked me, "Are any of the new
technologies being introduced into K-12 education actually causing student
test scores to increase?" While the question has been asked a lot, her
point was that with all the venture capital being poured into educational
technology now, investors and the public may start wanting products to show
actual data on how they actually improve test scores. In the case of many
products, a lot of which focus on remediating students for particular
subjects, this is certainly a valid question. But I think many times we are
hoping software, hardware, remediation systems, and other assorted
educational technology products will magically transform education, when
they will not.
One of the best pieces I've read this week was
written by Grant Lichtman and published by ISTE. The author traveled to tens of
schools across the country and visited with teachers and students and
observed the learning process at many innovative schools. The author
concludes that the innovation is really not about the technology at all,
but rather about how learning is structured where the students are the
leaders in learning. Of course this does not mean that technology can't
play a role in the process, but the critical factors include how classes
are structured, how students take charge of their learning and
investigation, and how teachers and administrators must release control of
learning to students. I urge you to read this great piece and join the
conversation by sharing your thoughts.
|
