Megaphone, not magic wand

If you are reading this blog, it is very likely that you are not completely opposed to the use of technology in the learning environment.  You may even be a strong proponent of the purposeful use of digital and technological tools to maximize student learning, as I am.  To this presumably supportive audience, I have this admonition: beware of falling for the myth that technology is a panacea.  Because it is false, this is a particularly dangerous myth because in being proved inaccurate, it too often makes educators overly cautious or even unwilling to make technology an integral part of their teaching.

In point of fact, technology does not fix anything when it comes to teaching and learning.  Technology amplifies the pedagogical expertise educators already have.  If you already know that frequent, individualized, targeted feedback is essential to student learning, there are many tools that can make the execution of this practice more efficient or manageable.  For the teacher who believes that each student should be taught at the point of his/her mastery, digital tools for differentiation are easily accessible. Dozens of options are available to streamline the process of providing a steady stream of information to parents regarding their children's academic progress.

To be clear, technology can also amplify poor instructional practice.  Worksheets can be digitized, but they are still worksheets.  Poorly constructed writing prompts can be posted to online student collaboration sites.  Students can be guided to complete ill-conceived "web-quests" that focus exclusively on answering recall questions instead of requiring or promoting higher level thinking at all.

My challenge is a simple one: don't foolishly ignore the powerful tools technology offers in support of learning.  Recognize, however, that technology is only as good as your ability to wield it effectively.  Pick up the megaphone and speak powerfully into the lives of your students this year.

Andrew Maxey is the principal of Rock Quarry Middle School.  He blogs at nothingthatprofound.wordpress.com and tweets from time to time as @_ezigbo_.