To Use Technology or Not to Use ... That is The Question!

In my experience I have noticed there are three categories that teachers can fall into: either they are tech embracers, tech avoiders, or tech procrastinators. That is because they have all witnessed the benefits and challenges of educational technology at one time or another. What makes teachers who embrace the constant change and innovation of the EdTech field stand out, is that they seem to willingly accept the challenges that are thrown their way when another new program or tool is introduced.

There are many arguable challenges and benefits of using EdTech tools to support teaching and learning. I personally think the number one major challenge is time. I have received a lot of feedback from teachers expressing their desire to learn a new app or program but just simply do not have the time to do so, especially with EQAO coming up in less than a month.

 

Another major challenge is accessibility to the school’s tech resources. Some classes seem to have a lot more EdTech tools than others, which can give teachers the excuse they are looking for to avoid using technology in their classrooms. This may be a result of the different levels of teacher comfort with using tech in the classroom. Every teacher will learn tech at their own pace and with that creates a large divide of skill levels amongst teachers even within a single school. This is  where you will find teachers who jump at the second someone says new app to the teachers who are afraid to even be in the same room with technology.

Lastly, I have seen a number of teachers rely on technology as a substitute for teaching or as a time-filler. Insisting they want a pre-made lesson that puts little emphasis on the teacher. This is one of my newest pet peeves. I believe that the effectiveness of educational technology on teaching and learning is only as good as the teacher implementing it. If the teacher is not already invested in their class to improve student engagement and interaction, then adding technology as a teacher substitute will certainly not accomplish this either.

With all these challenges (even excluding all the added costs, errors, and potential additional student distraction) I can see why teachers are so easily inclined to dismiss the use of technology in their classrooms. However, with that being said the benefits by far outweigh the challenges. Using EdTech tools and programs in the classroom have been proven to increase student engagement and success. With teacher involvement and willingness to try new things adds to the 21st century classroom and provides more opportunities for teaching and learning as a whole. Another benefit of using EdTech tools and resources as a teacher helps you address the different learning styles and needs of your students with ease. There are many programs and apps on the rise to assist with assessments, particularly focusing on the students who require accommodations or modifications.  Lastly, EdTech devices can enhance the inquiry based learning that takes place in the classroom. Even if your school only has a few iPads or tech devices, students essentially learn more when they work in small groups or pairs as they are forced to collaborate and share ideas around the singular device.