Educators have so many things to focus on and prioritize and, honestly, it can feel like technology is just one more thing we have to deal with. While that is true to some degree, there have been some game changing technologies that have shaped the way we do business in PK12 education. As we look at some different technologies that may be shaping our classroom and the way our students learn, I’d like to focus on a few things that will not only enhance student learning but also make students, teachers, and administrators more productive.
The number one current “disrupter” in the technology realm is artificial intelligence, specifically generative AI with tools like ChatGPT, Bard, Clyde, MagicSchool.AI, and others. As we forge through this next iteration of technology in education it will be important to keep in mind and shape our teaching and learning such that we focus not so much on the information but rather how it can be used. We live in a world now where information is everywhere and readily available at the touch of a search engine button. We now have access to the next step in that growth with generative AI. As long as we as educators continue to focus on relationships and not information, we’ll be headed in the right direction.
The next category of education technologies that are of utmost importance to educators is the Learning Platform and Infrastructure. From the devices students, teachers, and administrators have access to to the connections for collaboration, creativity, innovation, research, and all the other pieces that fit here, having a reliable platform and infrastructure are going to make a huge difference. Tied in this area are the need for good LAN Managers and Technology Integration Specialists to support not only the hardware and software but how it is used in the classroom. It’s also important to consider cybersecurity and data privacy when it comes to this focus area from all levels of the system including students, teachers, administrators, and techies as well as parents and community.
As we use more and more technologies in education, cloud-based collaboration and computing becomes more and more important. These platforms offer real-time communication and collaboration for students and teachers no matter where they are. While we might have soured on remote learning during the pandemic, it has opened up our options as it relates to flexibility and learning opportunities for students and staff. Students may have access to school resources while traveling to sporting events on the bus. Staff may have access to answer questions from students or their sub while away at a training or other event. Administrators may be able to easily access data for a retreat or other planning event from wherever they may need it. We have become accustomed to instant access to information and this is mostly enabled by our access to cloud-based technologies.
While there are many other considerations when it comes to education technologies and where we are headed, these are definitely the main ones to keep your eye on and stay up to date with. We’ll definitely be hearing about and using other tech such as immersive learning with gamification, virtual and augmented reality, as well as 3D modeling and other hands-on activities revolving around STEM/STEAM. While it can be fun and exciting or daunting and distressing at the same time, education technologies will only continue to impact the way we teach and learn. We must remember that it isn’t about the technology but what we do with it to build solid relationships and opportunities for students that matter. We do this job because every person has their own unique gifts and talents and can learn and grow and be successful in their own unique and different way! All people matter and deserve an opportunity to find and grow into their purpose.