On the Journey Step Eleven: Technology and the Future of Education
Technology & the Future of Education
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that teachers and students view the use of technology tools in the classroom. During the pandemic, teachers and students quickly learned how to use technology to create asynchronous learning experiences. As a result, the recognition of the need to reimagine the use of technology to prepare students for the future is needed (Jisc, n.d.). In order to prepare students to be lifelong learners, students need to learn digital skills which enable them to facilitate their own learning (World Economic Forum, 2023). As students learn to collaborate, communicate, and adapt, they will have the ability to participate in the next revolution of technology advancement (World Economic Forum, 2022).
Student Collaboration
Technology may be used to build student collaboration and engagement in the classroom. These are key skills which allow students to learn to problem solve and think critically about real world problems. One way that students can collaborate to design their own learning is through the use of the Universal Design for Learning. The students can use project based learning to determine multiple ways to access the information that is needed to complete a project. The students can be challenged to work together to access many different resources to complete a project (Posey, n.d.). If the end goal of a project is student collaboration, the educator must be prepared to set short term goals within the learning project design to help students learn how to collaborate during the project (Wiggins, n.d.). As a result, the students are able to problem solve as a team.
The use of technology tools such as Google Slides, Movie Making, and Animation could be used for project based learning which would encourage students to collaborate as a team. For example, Movie Making involves forming an idea, writing a script, developing a storyboard, casting, determining locations, filming, and post production (NYFA, n.d.). Since Movie Making involves multiple steps and requires a team, students can collaborate together to create an expression of their own ideas.
Student Communication
Students who are preparing for the future will need to be able to use civil discourse, manage conflict, and work together as a team (World Economic Forum, 2023). Since students need team-based learning opportunities, a teacher can plan to allow students to have multiple ways to express their learning with the Universal Design for Learning Framework. As students are given choices for expressing their learning, they will need to work as a team to design their project. Educators can better plan for student communication within the classroom by using Backwards Planning. The use of embedding short-term goals for student communication into a classroom gives students the ability to begin to facilitate their own learning.
One example of a way students can communicate using a technology tool is with the use of Google Jamboard or the Nearpod Collaboration Board. These tools allow students to work together on a project while sharing ideas and reflection. A second tech tool for student communication is screencasting. The students can use screencasting to share their ideas with others.
Student Adaptation
Technology may be used to help students learn how to adapt to new situations, set goals, and facilitate their own learning. These are skills that are needed to prepare students to be expert learners (World Forum, 2022). A huge part of student adaptation is the ability to set goals and to self-reflect upon their progress (Schwartz, 2022). As students think through their own learning goals, they also can compare them with the educator’s class learning goals. One way the educator can facilitate this is through setting a mission statement for a class (Wiggins, n.d.). When students understand this course mission statement, they are able to critically evaluate their progress in the class.
Student blogs or student podcasts could be an example of technology tools which may be used by students to think about their learning and to reflect upon their learning. The students may use a blog or a podcast to share their learnings with other students. In the process of creating the blog or podcast, students automatically think critically about the topic they are presenting.
Conclusion
As educators think about the learning goals for their students, they must consider how to prepare students for the next wave of technological development and the use of artificial intelligence to improve learning and teaching (Forbes Magazine, 2022). The development of chatbots such as ChatGPT and Google Bard has created a whole new world for educators to explore in order to use content generated by artificial intelligence. As these artificial intelligence tools become more popular, the application of their use within the classroom will need to be addressed.
My podcast about Technology and the Future of Education can be found at this link: https://dd71291.blogspot.com/2023/04/on-journey-step-eight-my-podcast-channel.html
References:
Forbes Magazine. (2022, March 31). Understanding Education 4.0: The machine learning-driven future of learning.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/naveenjoshi/2022/03/31/understanding-education-40-
the-machine-learning-driven-future-of-learning/?sh=1190a17c5bc2
Jisc. (n.d.). Education 4.0 transforming the future of education (through advanced technology) [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVWHp8FsV1w
NYFA. (n.d.). The Filmmaking process for beginners. New York Film Academy.
https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/the-beginners-guide-to-the-filmmaking-process/
Posey. A. (n.d.) Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A teacher’s guide. Understood.
https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-universal-design-for-learning?utm_source=google&utm_
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Schwartz, S. (2022, February 4). 4 Principles of a Universal Design for Learning approach.Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/4-principles-universal-design-learning-approach/
Wiggins, G. (n.d.) Grant Wiggins-Understanding by Design (1 or 2) [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4isSHf3SBuQ
World Economic Forum. (2022, May 16). Catalysing Education 4.0: Investing in the future of learning for a human-centric recovery.
World Economic Forum. (2023, January 2). Education 4.0: Here are 3 skills that students will need for the jobs of the future.
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