While reading the articles, I found that many points stuck with me. One point in particular got me thinking about my own practice: what knowledge is slipping through the gaps with the increase in using technology as a primary driver in our classrooms?

 

On a daily basis in my class, children do not know how to read an analog clock, have troubles with basic directions and have a general lack of common sense. Granted they are younger but the opposite is true as well. Many of my students hold very specific complicated skills such as coding computers and understanding the inner strategies needed to beat complicated video games. Is one more useful than the other?

 

I believe that both types of knowledge have their place in becoming an educated human being in the 21st century, but increasingly we are moving towards a world shaped by interactions with technology.  Students will soon likely no longer need the ability to be able to communicate their thoughts and ideas without handwriting. In a world that is driven by information, students can find how to learn anything on their own and can look up instructions to complete most tasks. Students will need to focus on the process rather than the direct information being transferred from teachers to students. The educational technology that is trending is tools that allow students to explore on their own. I believe that this is an excellent first step into a more individualized learning track.

 

The natural evolution of technology is moving towards less of a centralized keeper of knowledge and moving towards knowledge being accessible throughout the whole population.  There are many benefits of technology opening doors to create more opportunities for individuals to learn. The movement toward information being accessible online rather than in hard copies hopefully leads to a more open-scholarship model and helps move away from publishers holding the information hostage.

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There are also many disadvantages which I believe will hinder the speed in which that technology can enter the educational community and technology trends that aim to improve that community. A main obstacle for me as a teacher is cost, especially with the current trends aimed at things like wearable technology and VR. These are not cheap tools and require previous training, programs and other technology to run them. Educational tools should be aimed to help the general population and to use the technology that the majority of students have access to. Another issue that arises is that it is hard to stay up to date with the progression of the programs and hardware needed to stay present in the evolving world of technology. Don’t get me wrong, I do agree that technology is a great way to invigorate teaching practices but where is the line when invigorating turns into treading water.

 

I believe that the most positive areas that are making the largest impact is the use of cloud computing to connect classrooms together. The use of G-suite is exploding in SD61 as it allows learning communities to connect, collaborate and use technology that is being used in the real world. Google classroom changes how a classroom functions and creates endless opportunities for students and teachers to create unique and intriguing types of learning.

 

This type of classroom is leading to the creation of global learning and making digital citizenship a major issue. I can see the incredible importance of teaching students the need to become a responsible digital citizen. Stressing the importance of the permanence of things on the internet and the repercussions that these things can have on an individual’s future. I think that this will and should become a subject or major topic in school. In the primary grades, students are already creating Youtube channels and are very present on the web. We need to teach them how to use it responsibly.

 

There are many trending applications in the educational technology field that carry a lot of potential and that are already making positive impacts in the learning community. The combination and ability to use mobile devices and attach to a community of learners will naturally lead to more problem-based and inquiry based learning. I believe that this will lead to students being driven by the discovery of their own interests and will create more  involved and motivated learners. This leads to teachers changing their roles away from the traditional role of explainer and know-it-all persona and puts them in the passenger seat with the students to help them navigate and become a learner as well. It is a true authentic way to lead by example and be a role model of what learning looks like.

 

With the progression of technology it also has led to the ability for teachers to learn and collaborate with other teachers. Through the Master’s Program, I have been able to sneak a peek into the world of professional development and the people on the forefront of innovation and creating best practices. Speaking about a way to invigorate ones practice! No longer will school based Pro-D days be the sole method of learning new approaches. The learning communities have created a tailored individualistic experience for whomever wants to pursue it and be involved in the conversations. In my opinion, I believe that being able to have a say in the conversation is essential to embracing and changing your practices instead of being lectured to. Continue this full circle, and it relates to how technology can impact our student voice about learning and letting them become part of their own learning instead of just lecturing at them.

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Learners who have specific needs and preferences of learning will be able to utilize their preferred methods of understanding and presenting knowledge because of the flexibility that technology offers. As the access to this technology increases, including augmented reality, and other specific programs (voice to text, art programs, Google translate, ect), students will have more opportunities for an individualized learning experience.

 

A part of my personal practice that I am trying to evolve is the types of assessment that I utilize. I fully believe that constructive annotated feedback on assignments can allow students to grow and know what is expected in their work. The ability for students to understand what they need to work on and what they have achieved is a valuable learning opportunity that needs to be used consistently in a student’s education. I am implementing FreshGrade into my classroom this year for the first time. I am looking forward to using the program to interact with students and parents. My goal through the project is to enhance and encourage parent involvement with their child’s education and to create a more direct connection/ responsibility for their learning. I think the first step for me is using FreshGrade to open up a door of conversation with parents about their child’s work and involve them in understanding the needs of their child. That is my goal and technology is the vessel that I will use. I will keep you updated and I am looking forward to continuing to move forward.

 

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References

https://www.techlearning.com/tl-advisor-blog/top-10-k-12-educational-technology-trends 

 

https://www.iste.org/explore/Education-leadership/The-9-hottest-topics-in-edtech 

 

https://elearningindustry.com/educational-technology-trends-top-right-now 

 

https://blog.lambdasolutions.net/biggest-education-technology-trends-2019 

 

https://tophat.com/blog/technology-in-education-2019/ 

 

https://elearningindustry.com/2019-edtech-trends-excited 

 

Holland, J. & Holland, J. (2014). Implications of Shifting Technology in Education. Tech Trends. 58(3), 16-25. http://vincross.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Holland-Holland-2014.pdf