As an educator, I thrive on conversing with other educators, listening to what is happening in local, national, and global classrooms, helping when I can, and learning along the way. Recently, many of my conversations focused on a similar thread – Why teach technology? I’ve chatted on Twitter about matching tech tools with student outcomes. I’ve listened to others describe my technology curriculum. I’ve commented on blogs encouraging the use of Web 2.0 tech. And I’ve heard others tell me how they appreciate the fact I’m teaching students to use cutting edge technology. But it wasn’t until I read an online article from a Wisconsin newspaper that I finally landed on words to organize all my thoughts – “We don’t teach technology. We use technology to teach.”
Technology must be transparent in education. Although technology is identified at my school as a separate subject, I strive to continually integrate technology skills into classroom curriculum. It is by choice that I teach technology in the classroom – to reinforce integration and collaborate with classroom teachers. Ask any technology educator what they teach, and they will tell you they teach skills, not content. In reality, I have the best of both worlds – I get to teach reading, math, science and social studies at all grade levels AND I get to teach technology.
So what are these technology skills that my children learn? Sure, students learn how to manipulate hardware and software. But more importantly, students learn skills they will need throughout their lives. Just take a look at the pictures langwitches created to illustrate the point –
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.) Kid, you'll move mountains!"
~ Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss
