Technology Transformed Learning Environments

As usual, David Warlick nails it when he talks about the use of technology in the classroom in this article.

Tech-infused learning certainly involves the effective and appropriate use of information (contemporary literacy), which includes accessing, working, expressing knowledge — through the networks, digitally, compellingly, and with consideration of others. But what do you look for to see that?  What does the learning experience look like.

His list of 5  mirrors (not surprisingly) what we have been talking about in my school PD sessions on deeper-level thinking.  Deeper level thinking involves the nurturing of the same skills.  In our impromptu book study group we are reading the book THE THINKING CLASSROOM: Learning and Teaching In a Culture of Thinking by Shari Tishman; David N. Perkins; Eileen Jay.  Same stuff: creating a language of thinking, emphasis on questioning, a comfort with ambiguity, encouraging conversation.  If we raise the bar in terms of how much we require our students to think, they will rise to it.  This doesn't require the use of prescriptive curriculum just as it doesn't require the use of technology.  But the more opportunities we give students to ask and answer deep and thoughtful questions, the more confident they become as THINKERS and PROBLEM SOLVERS.

And, in following the thread between DW and another EdTech guru, Will Richardson, Will emphasizes the need to continue to talk about the value of technology in the classroom. (His blog post here.)  Right now does the use of tech still remain an alternative to the "traditional" text book-paper-pencil classroom, or is it better, more valuable, more engaging in the hands of the tech-savvy teacher?  Parent perception is sometimes that this is frivolous and unnecessary.  My teammate and I have talked about doing a "Tech Day"-type of workshop with parents, instead we are presenting a project combining students' ecosystems projects that span science, literacy and technology.  If the focus was on tech, it would still seem to be something separate from the core curriculum.  Hopefully, students, parents and teachers will see the infusion of technology into the content areas as effortless and completely logical.