3 Ways Technology Can Be Purposeful
I want to start by making a distinction between technology and technology with purpose.
The first is simplistic and pedagogically naive. It is considered to be the magic bullet, something you introduce into the classroom without much planning and thinking that it will magically transform the teaching and learning experience. Much like diet pills that promise weight loss. It is tempting to believe it works, but it is far from the truth.
The promise of education technology lies in extending the teachers’ abilities - not replacing them. What we need to see is learning that is supported by technology not mechanically mediated by it. As the famous saying goes: technology will never replace teachers, but teachers who use technology will probably replace those who don't.
And how can technology be purposeful?
I will focus on 3 factors:
1- It builds teachers’ capacities
All-day long, teachers are pulled in dozens of different directions and have hundreds of tasks to do. Some of those tasks, like preparation and grading, can be very time-consuming and draining. Technology can give the resources and tools the teachers need to work smarter and not harder.
2- It gives teachers insights into learning
With the advancements in data science and analytics, we can now capture deeper insight into student learning. This can help teachers better answer questions like: What do my students really know? What objectives have they covered? Are they ready for the next module?
Data can also help teachers match resources to activities depending on the student's needs.
Data can also be used by policymakers to improve curriculum design and in setting national strategies for education
3- Targeted instruction
Purposeful technology should be able to support teachers in differentiated and personalized instruction. These are essential in 21st-century teaching but are time-consuming and very difficult to do. With Technology we can easily use available student data to group students based on their needs and personalize teaching and learning in a more targeted manner.
With the potential time saving from technology, teachers can focus first and foremost on students, and maybe be able to watch an extra episode of their favorite show without guilt
I do believe technology can be effective in assisting learning and improving attainment, and this will only happen when EdTech design is led by teachers and students, and not developed in isolation by engineers in the Silicon Valleys of the world.
