The Haas Homestead

With the rapid pace at which technology is changing and the growing use of it in the workplace, it is absolutely necessary that we integrate it into our classrooms as well. It is vital that students exit school and enter into the workforce ready and prepared for all aspects of their chosen career, including knowledge of the tools of technology and how best to use them. Students can’t wait until job training or even for higher education to begin learning how to use these technological tools otherwise they will already be far behind. The job of an educator is evolving, and as technology adapts, we need to adapt. 

The teaching profession is no longer just about having information that you need your students to learn, but also being able to facilitate independent learning using the new resources available to us. It is vital that teachers still be well educated and able to teach their subject independently, as technology should be used to enhance and transform how we teach, not replace teaching altogether (Mod 1 the Impact of the Instructor). Right now there are several gaps in the use of technology in the classroom as much of it is brand new and there is a lack of training for teachers. It is pretty easy to substitute technology for regular instructional purposes and is already being done, such as teaching with a smart board or having students take an online exam. The hard part comes from using technology to create interactive learning experiences. This is the difference between enhancing learning and transforming learning. 

Transforming learning with technology can take many forms, a great example of this is how the students went beyond a typical research paper and turned their work into interactive learning games and websites in the “High Tech High: Old School Vs. Now” video (Mod 1 Introduction). Although this is an excellent use of technology, there is still a digital divide across the board. Not every school has the connectivity that they need in order to implement these foundations, and even the ones that do have the connectivity have a wide range of interpretations on how to do it. This is called the digital use divide, and there are several standards, policies, and models that are being introduced to help solve these gaps in teaching with technology. For both educators who have and have not received any training, the SMAR Technology Integration Model is an excellent tool for teachers to explore, learn how to integrate technology, and begin building a foundation for empowering their students with technology. (Mod 1 Technology for Learning.)