Thinking+Points

Thinking Point 1 I agree with most of Lowther's assertions, particularly the first two. I would assert that there is a fourth, that being using technology as a sophisticated fact drilling tool. The opinion I don't completely agree with is "Technology as a learning tool is based on students using technology to __further their learning through problem-solving applications".__ Technology can be used for more than problem solving applications. Global communication and connections, creative demonstrations of the student's achievement level on learning goals as well as collaboration are much more than problem solving. Lowther's statements directly reflect on current position as I was hired to help educators in the region develop their capacity to integrate and leverage technology to create authentic learning opportunities for students. Teachers and students need access to a variety of technology tools and support to make the shift from didactic instruction to a learner center education. The research has supported learner centered schooling, and now the technology has arrived to manage and enable this approach. Thinking Point 2 I first learned about constructivist teaching in 1993. Since then I have had many opportunities to use this approach in my classrooms. The districts I have worked in have always had over 65% free and reduced lunch student populations. One thing I learned is that when you are using the constructivist approach in that type of environment there is a wide range of background knowledge upon which students can construct new knowledge. Technology is huge asset for assessing what background knowledge a student has and increasing it, growing academic vocabulary, and differentiating. I would agree with Grabinger, & Duffield's assertions about how teachers used technology based on pedagogy they are grounded in, I'm not sure I like the term "learning tool", because textbooks, notebooks and pencils where all considered tools of learning. Technology is about connections to information, experts, distant collaborators, and virtual experiences which grow cultural and societal experiences. For me technology breaks down classrooms walls and allows students to interact with the world. Again the author's statements reflect on my situation as I share methods with educators to help them develop their understanding of constructivist and student centered learning through technology.