We all know the pandemic had its hardships and tribulations. Teachers were forced to into unknown territory overnight, with little to no warning. Technology was our best bet of communicating and connecting with our students. We had to change how we implemented and delivered lessons. Student collaboration looked completely different. It hard tough and scary, but now that we are over a year into it I think it is time we are start reflecting and looking into the future.
This week I read an article, titled "The Many Ways EdTech has Created Future Learning Opportunities," about how with all of the disruption of the pandemic, educational technology can lead us in the direction of new learning opportunities for teachers and students. The article interviewed five people who work in the educational technology field, by asking each person the same four questions.
The first question revolved around asking how can teachers ensure that students are still receiving a personalized learning experience with a hybrid learning model. The biggest takeaways that I connected with were: the importance of setting clear expectations for student learning with technology, finding creative ways to build rapport and determining students' interests, using breakout rooms and other methods to uphold collaboration, and using technology as a means to bring in organic and immersive learning experiences. With students being in a variety of learning environments, it is important to find ways to engage them and meet the students at their level of need.
The interviewer went on to ask where each person thought educational technology was heading post pandemic and what the biggest educational technology trend was during the pandemic. Many of their responses about where educational technology was heading had to do with using technology tools effectively and finding ways to make the learning inclusive. I agree that the pandemic helped me to see whether or not the way in which I use technology enhances the lesson, or whether it only substitutes using a paper copy. As for the trend, the biggest take a way I found was the importance of using technology to provide students with flexible learning options that are dynamic and engaging. With many schools needing to provide their students with devices, there is more equity and barriers are being taken down.
The final question asked the interviewers to think about how educational technology can be used to empower an educational space "to most effectively elevate classroom management, foster collaboration, encourage creativity, and increase student comprehension and performance." Some of the highlights I found were: finding other ways to connect with students on an social-emotional level to check-in, using interactive displays and technology tools, integrating tools that have flexibility in their usage that lead to creativity, and making sure all voices all hear, no matter where the students are located. I was lucky to have most of my students in-person this year, but I do remember how tough the end of last year was. Students relied on frequent check-ins and knowing they had a way to connect with myself and their peers. Giving them some sense of normalcy was important, with everything else going on in the world.
I think these questions bring to light things that need to change going forward in how we use technology in the classroom. Teachers are able to see what worked, did not work, and how our past practices can change going forward. This idea of equity and breaking barriers relates to all student groups. For ELs, they had an extra layer of difficulty not being fluent in the language and possibly losing out on some of the supports they would have received if we were in-person. There was a greater chance of not only learning loss, but language loss as well. I am hopeful that all teachers take time to reflect about this school year, like I am this summer, and determine how we can best support students. There are numerous ways teachers can use technology to make students feel safe, heard, and welcome, such as using digital storytelling. My hope going into next school year is to spend even more time focusing on building a strong classroom community and digital storytelling will be one way we can learn about one another from the beginning.
The Many Ways EdTech Has Created Future Learning Opportunities. Education and Career News. (2021, June 9). https://www.educationandcareernews.com/education-technology/the-many-ways-edtech-has-created-future-learning-opportunities/.