Is your educational technology doing what it needs to do?
This New York Times opinion piece by Susan Pinker wisely questions the role of educational technology in improving achievement.
Turns out computers and gadgets are not always the panacea they are touted to be. Pinker points to research showing a decline in achievement among disadvantaged students once they gained access to technology. Why? Pinker speculates that many students use the technology for web surfing unrelated to school. She also highlights the ways over-reliance on technology can weaken social skills.
It’s easy to get starry-eyed about the next game or gadget and the impacts we hope it will bring. It’s even easier to fall into the trap of chasing “innovation” or 21st century learning. The article cautions us to choose and use technology in ways that support learning.
Read more: What do we mean by innovation?
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