By: Mark Fijor

Over the last decade, technology and education have become increasingly intertwined. However, much of the technology implemented in schools has been done so with a traditional educational model in mind. That is changing. With a new group of educators, administrators and technology enthusiasts, the traditional model of education has slowly begun to change.

For years, technology has been viewed by many as something extra in the classroom. Using technology was to be thought of as a special occasion. More often than not, the computer teacher or librarians were the conduits for any technology knowledge. However, as technology evolved access increased. The Internet exploded in use, and students had access to technology in both home and school. Hundreds of Web 2.0 sites began popping up, and suddenly, schools became inundated with technology tools at a pace that made it difficult to keep up.

Teachers felt pressured by students, parents and administrators to integrate technology into their classroom. Technology use was encouraged on a regular basis. Yet with increased access to technology, teaching methods and the systematic organization of schools remained mostly unchanged. Teachers forced tech to fit into their lessons, often replacing non-tech elements of existing lessons in order to keep up with the latest technology, suddenly a poster was not good enough. In its place was a digital drawing that hung on a bulletin board in the hallway. Furthermore, the use of technology typically took place as whole-group instruction, where every student worked on the same project. I had personally witnessed teachers and parent volunteers rush to help students complete thier projects. In the end, the parents and teachers did more work than the students.

Students have become use to using technology in a vacuum. Student access to technology has often been limited to projects or designated computer time. Yet at home, many students spend a great deal of technology and whenever they want.

This is where educational technology became disconnected with reality.

As adults, we have seen how technology has helped transform people’s lives over the last decade (for better and worse). Technology has allowed us to transform how we communicate and collaborate with others across the world. It has allowed us to consume content any time we want to whatever way we want. Technology has given the average person the tools and resources to be a publisher, movie producer, and an entrepreneur. With all the affordances technology provides for adults, it begs the question why we have not looked at technology in the same way in school?

This is where I believe effective technology integration can have the biggest impact on education. Technology, combined with effective pedagogy can systematically change schools as we know them. I, as well as many other in the ed-tech community that technology can help create a system where learning does not stop at the bell. Technology can empower students, in the same way it has for adults, to allow them to search and find information any time they need it. Technology, along with a shift in the mindset of teachers, empowers students to take ownership of their learning.

I intend to use this website to share methods, insights, and experiences to help achieve a systematic change. I believe one of the ways to accomplish this change is to help teachers and administrators understand and explore the relationships between technology and pedagogy, and empowering them to use technology to help transform the learning experience. I believe it is also necessary to challenge the structures and systems already in place, and raise fundamental questions to help create positive changes. Lastly, I know that sharing is essential, as there are many of us fighting this same fight.

It is a journey and a challenge that I look forward to each and every time I go to work or write in this blog. Effective integration and use of technology will help prepare students for not only academic success, but help to create life-long learners.