Cultivate Technological Tools for Learning
By JOHNA UNDERWOOD
After the COVID shutdown, many of our students became accustomed to using technology in their day-to-day education. And, love it or hate it, technology use has continued to be a huge part of our students’ experiences in the classroom. All our students have devices that can both distract them from and connect them to important learning opportunities. It can be difficult for parents and educators to know what technology is helpful and when to use it. However, from the jungle of modern technology, we can help our students grow into tech-savvy learners.
The best way to begin purposeful technology use, both in the classroom and at home, is to set boundaries and expectations. Like any good garden, students grow best in the “quality soil” of knowing what is expected of them. In the classroom, this can look like encouraging students to put phones away to help them focus on classroom activities, or limiting time on iPads and other devices so that students have a variety of learning experiences.
Setting limitations on technology use at home can be equally beneficial. Students may need to be encouraged to step away from their devices. Even when using those devices for schoolwork, our students’ brains may simply need a break. As a bonus, with the weather improving into the spring months, going outside is a great way for students to take a break from technology.
Students also best use technology to support their learning when they have a clear expectation of what is and is not allowable. For example, a teacher may allow the use of AI technology to assist in revising an essay after students submit a first draft. However, most teachers are likely not going to approve of students using AI in place of writing their own original draft. Helping our students navigate these nuances can germinate the seeds of responsible technology use.
Along with setting boundaries and expectations, we can also nurture certain technologies that can enhance students’ learning when used appropriately. For example, students can benefit from videos online that explain and explore concepts in new ways. Audiobooks can help struggling readers access a text that might be difficult for them to read on their own, or it can enhance the reading experience of any book for students who simply enjoy listening to a text. Even something as simple as a spelling or grammar checker can help a struggling writer convey ideas thoughtfully and accurately in writing.
Like choosing the right plants for your home garden, choosing the best technologies to support student learning depends on a variety of factors. Parents and guardians should consider their students’ age, maturity, familiarity with different technology, and level of schoolwork when considering what technologies students might use at home to support their learning goals. Since schools have already sifted through many of the options, students and parents may want to ask what options their teachers recommend.
We should be choosy about the technology students use for education purposes. Since COVID, many companies have developed a wide variety of educational tech tools, but not all tools are great for all students.
Just as choosing the best technology for student learning relies on many variables, so too does weeding out certain options. Students, parents, and teachers may need to eradicate those apps, sites, and devices that don’t enhance, support, and grow student’s learning. If concerned, parents and guardians may want to visit with their students’ teachers regarding technologies that promote themselves as educational but are actually just games or that students more often use in place of learning rather than to enhance learning.
Even the best technological resource can hinder student learning if it is too distracting, cumbersome, or too easily short-cuts the learning process.
Eventually, with proper care and enough time and space to learn, our students can blossom into learners who embrace technology as a tool for reaching their own learning goals.
Johna Underwood teaches English at Gatesville High School.
