Why Schools Should Be More Critical Of Technology
1-to-1 computation distribution Expand the use of learning management systems , the ubiquity of smartphones and advances in artificial intelligence and virtual reality are part of the new technology landscape in many K-12 schools.
The problem is that many schools use this technology with a "techno-solution" approach, meaning that the technology is the solution to problems in the education system, said Natalie Millman, a professor of educational technology at George Washington University. and other researchers. In published articles on current issues of technology and teacher education . They say it's time for teachers to think seriously about the technology they use.
Courtesy of Natalie Millman
In a keynote interview for Education Week, Millman explains why it's important to take a more critical look at educational technology, what it takes, and the role of teacher education programs in making the most of technology in schools.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Why are teachers still concerned about the use of technology in schools?
One of the things we emphasize in our article is that technology is not neutral and can be designed in ways that create inconvenience.
For example, the technological tools used in the lessons, in a number of cases, do not remain with the teacher in this respect. So what are you doing? How do you use it? How can you ensure that it does not harm children in particular? How can we use it in ways that promote justice and freedom?
Is the role of Big Tech in education too big now?
In many ways, Big Tech defines what and how to use educational technology in schools. The use of various educational technology tools determines why and how to teach and the teacher should be responsible for this.
The problem is that tech companies track people and their data. What can be said about the collected data? Can the school system be ignored? Are parents aware of the collection of information about their children and our school? What is the school district doing to protect children? What policies do they have for protecting children's information?
I've spent most of my career in the tech sector, so I don't think I support it. We asked teachers and future teachers to think about the tools they use and why they are not neutral. They are very political. Those who create it create biased ideas unknown to us to the detriment of ourselves and even our students.
How do teacher training programs address this problem?
Historically, teacher education has taken this approach to technology solutions: You use technology to solve problems. You use technology and you can do X better. We argue that teacher educators need their pre- and post-service teachers to understand this difference and all that is involved between educational technology and requests for its use and requests for the tools themselves.
The field itself can level up. Education is often based on existing standards. There are several levels of technical education for ethical teachers and good digital citizens, but we don't think they are very deep. We want to raise the bar.
How can teachers be more critical about integrating technology in the classroom?
One way is to attract students' attention. We must teach our students to be skeptical consumers. Tell them that technology is only as good as its design. And sometimes the design itself doesn't find the right answer and can give you the wrong answer.
What can school and district principals do?
Workshops can be led or facilitated and help teachers understand the importance and history of this educational technology in their school system.
Put policies in place that protect students and allow students, their parents and guardians, and educators to choose or opt out of various technology uses and how their data is used.
