Many of us firmly believe in the potential that technology has to transform the teaching and learning cultures of schools. Whether it is used to enhance lessons, assess learning, engage students, or unleash creativity, technology has a defined role in a variety of school functions. Even though I am preaching to the choir, many schools still treat education as an effort in preparing students for a world that no longer exists. Technology is viewed as either a frill, distraction, or a non-factor in improving student achievement. The video below from Power On Texas provides a fantastic snapshot on how digital technology is transforming teaching and learning in Texas.
The video hammers home the point that for many students school does not reflect real life. The question then becomes how do we move those schools that are the most irrelevant in terms of meeting the diverse learning needs of their students to being the transformation process? This, in my opinion, is pivotal if we are to truly begin to reform education in a way that is meaningful to our students. Our students want to be creative, collaborate, utilize technology for learning, connect with their peers in other countries, understand the messages that media convey, and solve real-world problems. Schools and systems of education that do not embrace digital learning and place a high emphasis on standardization will always fail to resonate with our students.
