Build a Technology Course that Doesn't Focus on Technology?

Sounds crazy I know. Build a technology course that doesn't focus on technology? What’s the rationale? Too often schools and services have invested exorbitant amounts of resources on technology but don’t really know how to effectively implement its use. It has happened so often, in fact, that our critics have labeled technology integration as a “gimmick”. Have you started to see this trend as well?

Technology disuse or misuse usually comes from instructors focusing primarily on software and hardware, whereas they should be working to improve a student’s skill in solving tasks or problems through the use various forms of technology. Schools and teachers shouldn’t tie themselves to a particular piece of software or platform; rather they should be designing challenges where the only requirement is that students solve the problem. Whether the student used PowerPoint or Keynote is irrelevant to how well the challenge was met, and at what level did the student design their presentation. Question, “If we can’t measure a student’s technology competence with how they use software, then how can we measure for success?” Answer, “A measurement of learning skills.” How do you measure student's success with technology at your school?

An excellent example would be ISTE/NETS on “Communication and Collaboration”. “Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others, specifically to interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.” This learning objective can manifest through a plethora of software, both local and cloud, to meet the needs of this objective. I am also fond of visual devices that help to shape the skills our students should be learning to be successful in a world driven by information technology. This particular image comes from Billings Middle School's "Technology with Intention."

What do you think of this chart? Do you have an infographic you would like to share?

I am also partial to NECREL's old "Range of Use" chart.

Please let me know your opinion on this chart and send in any skill infographics you've found helpful.