Thoughts on Pedagogy before Technology

Growing up I don’t really remember much about technology; I grew up in the 90’s so technology still wasn’t a big deal like it is now.  I remember dial up internet and only having one computer so if I wanted to sneak onto AIM and message my friends, I would have to hide the computer so my parents couldn’t see.  I also remember having to wait for the dial up internet to connect and how long that process took.  I didn’t receive a cell phone until 9th grade and now, we have some 3rd graders walking around with phones in their backpacks.  Although technology wasn’t as big for me, I still feel like I grew up in a technology driven world.  I was there to really start it all, which I think was an asset because I can now just dive into technology and get a feel for how it works.  Student’s just graduating from high school are in a great place with technology and are doing wonderful things.  I am not one for music while I am studying or working but some students now are using music to help them focus and get to enjoy music from before they were even born, thanks to music apps that are available.  Some students use TikTok or Instagram for their news, but I feel like news on some subjects still needs to be researched and sources need to be checked.  I haven’t explored too much of TikTok or Instagram to really know if the news on those apps is reliable or not.  I feel like YouTube is another piece of technology that students use more and more, people were getting noticed because of their YouTube channel and some were even getting sponsored for their content.  The whole idea of becoming an influencer as a job has some positives and negatives for me.  I think it’s wonderful on one side because people are so creative and can make amazing things on their channel and promote different arts and perspectives.  On the other hand, I feel like kids are set on this idea and don’t know how hard it is to get a following and make money.  Overall, I feel like I have a great grasp of technology and know that students are using it in amazing ways.  

Thinking about technology in the classroom, again I feel like there are some pros and cons.  I use technology a lot in my classroom from the daily slides that I make, to the personalized computer program our district provides for the students to use.  I feel like technology can be used in different ways in our classroom and makes a great tool for students to develop more on their learning.  Honestly, technology is here whether we want it to or not so, the more we expose students to technology the better they will be in the long run.  They need to know how to use certain technologies and programs so they can be successful in the real world.  There are so many great technology tools that we can use in the classroom to enhance learning.  Kids love games so why not use games for an educational purpose?  We have come a long way since the sit and listen to a lecture routine in the classroom yet that is still a go to teaching practice for a lot of teachers.  Some teachers get great results and have great data from a sitting and listening lecture, but haven’t we learned that all kids don’t learn that way?  We need to cater to children and how they learn best, if that is using technology to build visuals for them or add in a song from YouTube then so be it to help all children learn.  I think all teachers are going to have a certain teaching style and that is great, but also think about the kids and their learning style and what fits them best.  We have a personalized learning program in our district that first assesses the students and then places them on the level that they tested into.  Once there, the students work at their own pace, gathering units and leveling up when they complete all sections.  The program reteaches and shows me when a student may be struggling so I can pull a small group if needed.  I think resources like these are wonderful because they can get the support they need and if extra support is needed, I am flagged and know exactly what they are working on and what I can help them with.  I can also use this program to make groups based on their level and still they are working on.  Technology can help us tremendously in the classroom and take some work off teachers’ plates, which is something we all could use.  

Looking at how technology is changing can be quite a challenge.  There are new websites and products every day, and it can be overwhelming at times.  But when you look at incorporating one new idea, maybe a semester or even once a year, things can become a lot easier.  As teachers we are constantly thinking about how to better our delivery of lessons or concepts.  If we can start implementing one new technology driven idea once a year or once a semester, the idea becomes more manageable.  I would love to give my students a more meaningful experience and engage them by adding some technology to the mix, and a lot of times it will make your life easier as well.  Even looking at lesson plans, now thanks to Google Documents, we can all edit and create a document together instead of emailing and doing things separately.  We can make one cohesive document while connecting concepts to other subjects because we can see what everyone is working on.  While teachers are using technology daily in their classrooms, librarians are also leading professionals in technology on a school campus.  Librarians are so important because they can give students ideas and information on technology that they may not have seen before, as well as how to keep students safe on the internet.  When you think about people and how they get information now, you better believe that they are using their phone for almost if not all their information.  If a librarian is stuck on handing papers out or making due dates that are posted only in the library, they are doing a disservice to the library and it’s patrons.  Librarians must adapt and if that means making a website that promotes the library and gives hours and a catalogue for parents to look through then that is what needs to be done.  Having digital resources for students and parents to use at home is going to be essential when thinking about the future of libraries.  This is how we reach people, through digital formats and creative ideas.  Instead of having books on the shelves for students to grab, make an Instagram reel with all the new books and a brief caption so students know what is being put out and can come get them. When you think about Bloom’s Taxonomy and how creating is the highest form of higher order thinking, how can you not think about technology?  Creating a movie or book cover shows how much content was received and how students understand the subjects taught.  I do believe that there is a process to learning and you must memorize somethings before you can create about it, but we need to make sure we are providing students with opportunities to analyze and create with their ideas.  If a student can teach another student the concept, that student is showing a deep understanding of the concept, and you know they have mastered it.  After student’s have mastered a concept why not let them present the concept in a digital way that is fun and innovative.  Librarians can show students different resources to use and how they can prepare them for a job in the future.  

Overall, I think a future ready library and a future ready classroom have digital technologies that are useful to students because if we don’t provide this, we are hindering students for the future.  We need to show students how to properly use and navigate technology for them to be successful in their future lives.  

Resources:

Churches, A. (2008, March 05). Bloom’s digital taxonomy. https://www.ccconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Churches_2008_DigitalBloomsTaxonomyGuide.pdf

Common Sense Education. Bloom's digital taxonomy. https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/blooms-digital-taxonomy

K-12 Blueprint. Tools and resources to drive your technology initiatives. https://www.k12blueprint.com/toolkits

Marist. The 2023 marist mindset list for the class of 2027. https://www.marist.edu/mindset-list