blog : March 2013
13 Ways Technology Has Changed How We Learn
3/6/2013
In the 21st century, technology changes the ways in which we
communicate and go about our lives. Very few educators would disagree
with the premise that how we learn has dramatically changed because
of the impact of technology. Here’s a short list that teachers helped me
compile:
- Because we text, our students have learned a dialect that we don't always understand. Kids communicate in many different modalities as a result of technology. Maybe it’s 2M2H (too much to handle) for some adults! :)
- Students' sense of audience is completely different. When I was in high school in the 1980's the audience was the teacher, in 1988 when I started teaching high school audience was the teacher and peers. In the 21st century it's the WORLD. Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, and other online platforms changed our notion of audience.
- Do you remember the history or science fair presentation boards that we created? Web 2.0 tools like Glogster have changed this experience. Glogster.com is a platform where students can create a multimedia "glog" or poster to demonstrate what they know and understand about a topic.
- There's no need to carry around a bulky three binder anymore. A computer, tablet computer can keep all of those files and handouts in neat folders. There's also a web 2.0 tool, LiveBinders that allows users to create a binder online.
- The way that we think of textbooks is completely changing. It is no longer limited to merely text and pictures. Today’s textbooks often have web-based sites that include assessments, animations, additional materials, videos, and other materials to support the learning of new content.
- Speaking of textbooks, e-books are becoming more prevalent in schools with the advancements of e-readers and tablet computers. I think in the near future that students won’t carry around big bulky backpacks filled with heavy textbooks.
- I’m not sure if this is directly connected to learning but we don’t pass notes in class anymore, we text.
- Much attention has been placed on interactive gaming as a powerful platform for student learning. Every day new programs and web-based tools are teaching our students content that was once paper or chalkboard based.
- Voice recognition software has improved greatly in the past few years and is more accessible. Children with special needs and limited English proficiency are able to more effective communicate in language based contexts.
- iPads are so adaptable and powerful tools for teaching and learning. There are so many applications but I think the most powerful and exciting is the enhancement of learning experiences for students with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum.
- Technology facilitates our ability to extend classroom community by using web-based platforms like Edmodo. Teachers and students can use this platform to discuss homework, post assignments, and interact with peers as they work on projects.
- We still use libraries but so much of our research and learning is more web-based. What used to take hours in the library to find we find instantaneously. As a result, we need to sort through huge amounts of information efficiently. We know how to get and use information and I would argue that because it takes less time to find information, we spend more time digesting, thinking, and learning about new information.
- As educators, we know the power of Howard Gardner’s Theory of
Multiple Intelligences. Technology facilitates our ability to meet the needs
of all kinds of learners.
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