Yesterday, I asked my class of future educators to think about the term "edtech" and whether the term forces those of us in the industry to be viewed as separate and not part of the education sphere.
Sadly, whether I want it to be or not, educational technology is still separate in many cases. And, I attribute that to the word technology. Many view technology as tools, fix-its, and gadgets. However, we fail to recognize that technology was once the paper press, it was the railroad, it was the telephone. Technology in itself does not mean fix-its or tools and gadgets. Rather, the common thread in technology is innovation and invention.
So, when we look at the word edtech and we substitute technology for innovation or invention, we start to get a different meaning.
And, what is education? Well, the Greek root of pedagogy means "to lead a child."
Putting that together, edtech means: to lead a child to/with innovation.
Isn't that what all educators are trying to do? If so, then how can we educate others to bring edtech under the same best practices umbrella?
Talking to future teachers and current educators, many focus on the word technology and view it as something extra, something else they have to learn that they don't have time for. However, if it was moved to being a best practice, would it still be viewed as separate?
According to John Adams, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."We need leaders to help move education forward and to re-evaluate best practices.
Sadly, whether I want it to be or not, educational technology is still separate in many cases. And, I attribute that to the word technology. Many view technology as tools, fix-its, and gadgets. However, we fail to recognize that technology was once the paper press, it was the railroad, it was the telephone. Technology in itself does not mean fix-its or tools and gadgets. Rather, the common thread in technology is innovation and invention.
So, when we look at the word edtech and we substitute technology for innovation or invention, we start to get a different meaning.
And, what is education? Well, the Greek root of pedagogy means "to lead a child."
Putting that together, edtech means: to lead a child to/with innovation.
Isn't that what all educators are trying to do? If so, then how can we educate others to bring edtech under the same best practices umbrella?
Talking to future teachers and current educators, many focus on the word technology and view it as something extra, something else they have to learn that they don't have time for. However, if it was moved to being a best practice, would it still be viewed as separate?
According to John Adams, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."We need leaders to help move education forward and to re-evaluate best practices.
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