Do you think that the Common Core or the NC Essential Standards is more likely to positively influence the use of technology for learning or is it another impediment to implementing digital tools?

I believe the language in the essential standards for science will allow teachers to use technology to teach effectively.  There is a set of goals just for information and technology, so the writers made a purposeful effort to move students towards higher-level thinking using the most current technological tools available.  Even in the specific science course goals, the phrase “scientific inquiry, experimentation and technological design” is repeated several times.  Teachers of science are being directed to stretch students beyond simple experimentation, and even beyond inquiry.  Technological design is becoming an integral part of our instruction because it makes students learn WHY and HOW.  Using technology, they can learn how to process all the information they find on their devices.

Now that I’ve lent support to using technology to teach essential standards, let me describe what the reality of the situation will be.  Schools with abundant resources can integrate technology easier than schools with fewer resources.  I believe that teachers who already use technology will continue to find new, innovative ways to use it.  But there will always be a group of teachers who do not use technology in the classroom, because they are afraid of it or do not see the benefit in it.  My advice to these teachers is to find a “techie” teacher to mentor you.  Even if you’ve been in the classroom for years, this is a situation where your years of experience may not serve you well.  Often, newer teachers have the most innovative uses of technology because they have completed their education courses using technology.

So, bottom line, does common core and essential standards influence or impede learning with technology?  I believe the door is wide open for teachers to use technology now more than ever.  Is it going to be a stretch for many of us?  YES.  Is it going to take more time than usual to plan our lessons?  YES.  Will it be worthwhile?  YES!  Twenty-first century students learn and live with technology and schools should embrace the idea of using it productively.  It is our responsibility to teach these children how to responsibly sort through the infinite amount of information they have at their fingertips.

Does anyone else feel like there needs to be more hours in the day for this one?

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/7815007@N07/7152588453/”>Ken Whytock</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/”>cc</a>