1. Technology is not a gimmick.
Kids like gimmicks! They love anything new, fresh, and exciting. But gimmicks don't insure deep learning and rigor. Fortunately, technology is more than flash and magic. It is a way for teachers to successfully modify and redefine a lesson so that students are more easily able to collaborate, problem solve, create, and communicate.
2. Technology doesn't always work perfectly.
Sometimes it doesn't work at all. This week I got a chance to talk to pre-service teachers about the latest technology trends in education. I had planned this great lesson using Aurasma. I spoke about how wonderful it is to use this app to create a digital layer over real-life. I've been playing with this app and really couldn't wait to have students try it out. Well, it didn't work out as planned. As the students hovered over the pictures, the pictures did not trigger the aura. For me, I felt like it was a complete fail. But technology teaches me this lesson, over and over again: It is not infallible. ALWAYS HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN.
3. Technology is here to stay.
Technology is ever-changing but we are in the 21st century and we can be assured that technology is here to stay. And since it is part of our life, we better start making good use of it. As educators, if we leverage technology, then we can create a classroom that is efficient, fun, engaging, and has real-world relevance.
What do you see as the biggest benefit of using technology in the classroom? What is the biggest disadvantage?
Erika