According to Wikipedia, technology is the making, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, methods of organization, in order to solve a problem, improve a preexisting solution to a problem, achieve a goal or perform a specific function.
Contrary to popular belief, technology is not necessarily something having to do with computers or electronics.
In prehistoric times fire was used to create charcoal. This new technology provided an avenue to express thoughts and tell stories in caves to pass on for generations to share the history of a people.
Sometime later the pencil was constructed using graphite, which soon gave way to fountain pens, ballpoint ink pens and typewriters. Who knew those typing skills aimed at training young women to be secretaries would become a standard and a necessity for the future of civilized mankind?
Today, the amount of storage space once contained in buildings can be found in a handheld cell phone. The television series Star Trek had futuristic depictions of many cordless communication devices and the Borg were people who had technological implants that are now commonplace in the medical field. “We’ve come a long way, baby” is an understatement.
Morphing Education
After some thought, I came to the conclusion that over time, all technology has one thing in common – man’s ability to use our hands to build, deconstruct, fashion, create, solve and achieve mighty fanciful things. With that in mind, when we use “technology” in the classroom, it could be the use of a pencil, which is technology, just old technology. Using current technology is more of the challenge to educators, and the rate of change in technology is increasing exponentially – at WARP speed! It is nearly impossible to keep up with the technology advancements.
Many teachers feel overwhelmed with the need for professional development like never before. No longer can teachers depend on the techniques and strategies of the past. We are teaching to a new form of student – a child of the technological age who has a personal cell phone or computer before the age of five. Just as they cannot imagine a world without computers, many teachers cannot find a way to grow as an educator in the “Brave New World” of education full of data, analysis, technology, and now accountability to the nation.
21st Century Chunking
Television uses commercials to chunk up sitcoms and game shows. Every 12 minutes or so, they show an engaging commercial that can give the viewer a chance to stretch their legs, grab a snack, chit chat, etc. Our classroom can be modeled in the same way with commercial breaks, using Internet videos connected to the lesson to chunk it up and engage students with substantial conversation.
According to brain research, the human brain works best with extra boosts of dopamine, which help students stay engaged and learn. Principals of physical movement, music, visuals, and conversation build an atmosphere that contains these “boosts” for a classroom of learners.
Use short internet clips, videos, pictures and paintings to help students analyze, compare and contrast information. For example, take a commercial clip for one of those sleep aid companies. First let the students only listen to the audio – block the picture from their view. Have the students write a few short sentences on what they hear the commercial saying. Discuss for a few minutes in class.
Then show the clip again, but mute the sound and have the students write what they see; then discuss as a class. Next, show the clip with sound and picture and have the students write what they believe the commercial is saying and discuss as a class.
This is a powerful tool, and if you do it for yourself first, you will uncover very interesting perceptions that you have. This technique can be used to teach a multitude of ideas and lessons but immediately correlates with standards about communication and the use of advertising or media to lead us in the direction the advertiser want us to believe.
The Edmodo online learning platform is a great place to do this. When designing a lesson or course, include a series of videos, articles, photos and activities to engage students brains. Great news too! Now once you develop a course in Edmodo you can copy the course saving lots of time.
Here is link to a great resource to help you use Bloom’s Taxonomy and technology in your classroom from Kathy Schrock. These tools can help you link apps, computer sites and iPads to technology resources to empower both you and your students with 21st century technology tools in the classroom.
As teachers, we need to face our fears and integrate technology one step at a time. Rome was not built in a day, and you can’t do everything, but you can do something.
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