“Take out your devices and begin researching
animals found in your biomes.” On a recent visit to a local high school, I was
taken aback by the teacher’s instructions. Immediate access. Incredible
efficiency. Genuine engagement. Each student group huddled around two or three
mobile devices scrolling vigorously, jotting down notes, and actively
conducting (what looked like) research.
But then, I thought back to
an unfortunate technology-related incident I was witness to last year: a cell
phone stolen from an unattended backpack, used to photograph unsupervised
students standing and laying atop a teacher’s desk, making inappropriate faces
and gestures which ultimately lead to tears and suspensions.
There may be no way to allow
students to use their own devices at school without risks, but certainly
ignoring this possibility as a way to enhance learning would be unwise. As
would, passing up the opportunity to contribute to the discussion about the
future of digital learning and the role technology will play.
The Future of Digital Learning: What Do You Think?
We cannot prepare teachers or
create schools for today; we must envision the classrooms and learning of
tomorrow. If we want to prepare teachers for, and create, future learning
environments, we must embrace the role technology will play in the classrooms
of tomorrow. So how do we accurately evaluate the role technology plays, and
the ways it can be leveraged for maximum impact in the future of education? Take
the popular, but debated trend mentioned earlier: the use of student-owned
mobile devices in the classroom.
You probably have an opinion
and, perhaps, a few questions. How are
these devices used during the school day? How do students, teachers, parents,
and administrators feel about it? What are the specific benefits and concerns
associated with this shift from the traditional structure of learning?
Now, take this issue and
picture the teacher typing her syllabus and guidelines at her computer the week
before school begins; or your local principal meeting with his/her staff to compile
and craft the yearly handbook of school policies; or a school board discussing personal
device usage before adopting an annual budget. Each individual has an opinion,
informed by experience and maybe a dated national report, or a newspaper
article about a nearby district who reported increased test scores and
engagement with personal device usage. But, do they have your thoughts or the current, unfiltered views of your school community?
Just as we would not allow a
doctor to diagnose an illness or create a treatment plan without listening to our
current concerns, we must approach the future of education and the role
technology will play with the same attentiveness.
Make A Broader Impact
Across the education spectrum,
at a national level down to the classroom your child, grandchild, niece,
nephew, or future employee sits in each day, your voice can either inform
policy decisions or go unheard. Your views and experiences concerning technology
trends, like personal device usage (and so many others in education), are
critical and go well beyond whether a student can or cannot use their phone or
tablet at school. Their extended reach affects privacy and confidentiality
legislation, funding allocations, internet accessibility, access to
information, connectivity, global competitiveness and, most importantly, how today’s
learners and tomorrow’s labor force will navigate a future in which the rate of
progress is greater than at any time in history.
‘Tis the Season to Speak Up
In this season of giving, be
part of Speak Up America 2013. Donate twenty minutes of your time today to take
the National Speak Up Survey. Join over 3.3 million students, educators, parents,
administrators, and community members who have “spoken up” since 2003—a dataset
representing the largest collection of authentic feedback from key educational
stakeholders about the digital learning. Speak Up closes on December 20th,
so NOW is the time to participate. Take the online Speak Up survey at http://www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2013/.
Written by Meredith Kohl, Speak Projects Manager
