One Quick Thought on Technology in Education

I’ve been thinking most recently about Prensky’s idea of partnering as described in his book Teaching Digital Natives (2010).  Essentially, the author argues that teachers must allow for students to follow their passions, use whatever technology is available, research and find information, answer questions, share thoughts and opinions, and practice, etc.  This kind of student learning is facilitated by good teaching; that is: creating and asking the right questions, giving students guidance, putting material in context, explaining one-on-one, creating rigor, and ensuring quality.  In other words, the opposite of teaching by telling.  Some might identify Prensky’s approach as project-based learning.  With the pressures that teacher’s are faced with, such as high-stakes testing, AYP, etc., one might question whether or not a teacher could set up his / her curriculum and instruction in a way that allows for Prensky’s idea of partnering.  Of course they can!  The key is to start small and build quickly.  With respect to technology, it seems that the more you learn, the quicker it is to acquire new skills. The key is that educators need to drop their defenses and allow themselves to learn with students. In other words, teachers need to move away from the fears that they feel, on many levels, and do what is best for students.  Further, I believe that school leaders need to be the first to encourage and provide professional development and training for student centered pedagogy.  Let’s face it, Prensky’s partnering techniques address the most important concern of all- student learning. It’s about time that educators start ‘walking the walk’ so to speak; we need to model what it looks like to be lifelong learners in the age of technological innovation.