Learning Through Technology

Today I get to rejoin the world of technology!  Recently I was enjoying the 4th with family in a place where no internet was available.  Throughout the week I had many get discussions with family about education and technology.  One that I am still mulling in my head is about students learning through technology.  It seemed ironic that when I checked my RSS Reader that David Warlick posted about having a conversion about this at ISTE. 

I think we are moving to an era when many people think technology can replace teachers and/or many traditional education methods.  At a conference I attended hosted by Infinite Campus, the founder talked about a world where all lessons would be delivered through a “lesson plan warehouse.”  The vision that was stated was that students would pick lessons they were interested in through their smartphones. 

It seems we believe that students have the ability to turn on their iPads and learn through their own methods.  Yes I believe some students could accomplish this, but mostly only if the topic interests them.  What makes school tough for many students is the process of learning something they do not care about.  When a student enjoys something they will try to soak in as much as possible and that is where the technology comes in.  I have seen students search out information on topics that interest them but I do not see them do the reverse.  Lately it seems many people try to keep students in their comfort zones, but does this really prepare them for life outside of school?

Also, many students have not yet had the life experiences to take what they are learning and apply it to the real world.  This is where teachers can go above and beyond a Wikipedia or a blog such as this.  The student has the opportunity to sit face-to-face and have a discussion about how to intergrate their learning into the real world.  Yes, this conversation could be done via a wiki or blog, but by having the converstation within the classroom it also teaches the student to work with peers and leaders.