Final Thoughts...

As the fall quarter draws to a close and I think back on where I started, I realize I have experienced a paradigm shift with regard to my disposition toward technology in education. Prior to this quarter, technology served a function of necessity and convenience in my life. I used it as minimally as possible, and had only last year discovered the ease of online tools such as banking and gps functioning on my iPhone.

When I worked as a classroom teacher, I encouraged students to learn computer applications and scheduled lab time to allow students to utilize computers for research and typing papers. Now that feels very outdated and short sighted, while at the time, I thought I was legitimately bringing technology into the classroom. I did lobby to get new computers and Rosetta Stone language software into my ELD classroom, but truthfully never tracked student progress because I couldn’t figure it out… I believe now that I lacked patience and follow-though.

It is true that there is a digital learning curve, and no one, even those on the cutting edge, can ever be savvy with all of the myriad technology available. With that in mind, my hindsight tells me I could have worked harder to embrace my own learning curve, and could likely have progressed further than I have at this point. But as there is no turning back the clock… it is time to take in the lessons learned and move on.

In a meeting last, week the topic of technology for adult ESL students was raised in a discussion about how best to use grant funds. One colleague noted that she did not want more computers for English learners, whom she felt would not embrace the technology as a learning tool. In the past, I think I would have agreed with her and taken the stance that adult learners have more important things about which to learn. This week, however, I took a different approach, citing knowledge learned in class this quarter. I pointed out that the target population needs computer literacy skills. Adult learners likely have “digital natives” at home, and it is imperative that they, the parents, are savvy enough to provide access to and protection from the advancements of technology. I felt a sense of confidence in my ability to humbly challenge my colleague’s point of view, as I truly felt that I was on the right track… I suppose time will tell.

Perhaps the most important lesson I have learned is that I cannot bury my head in the sand and naively think I can ignore technological innovation simply because it is challenging to my learning style. As an educational leader, I need to lead by example, embrace the exciting capacity of technology to innovate and inspire, and maybe, just maybe, consider joining Facebook one of these days…