Intersections! Technology Landscapes and Educational Narratives

By. Craig Perrier

I recently concluded a summer semester online course for current educators called “Impact of Technology on Education.”  I love teaching this class for many reasons.  One of the main incentives is a Week 1 assignment which ask students to identify a broad aspect of school that they think technology could impact in a positive way.  Here are some of comments from former teachers taking the course.

“What if schools were less about preparing students for tests and more about preparing them for a lifetime of learning?  This is the question my colleagues and I ask regularly.” 

“I find myself constantly looking for new ways to teach the same lessons that we are “required” to teach.”

“Students won’t remember what the questions were on a test but they will certainly remember how they worked through a challenge using problem-solving and communication skills so they can apply it to something later down their road of life.”

“Some days we have to spend a lot of time getting students into an emotional frame of mind to be ready to learn. This is a really huge part of our jobs that often gets forgotten.”

In order to alter the story of education in a meaningful way, educators need the technology and tools to support practices to make practical and innovative shifts. The Educator Marketplace  has great deals to help with this goal.  Below are just some of the possibilities!

• Hardware: This section includes deals from Dell, Microsoft, Lenovo, and Epson among other. Click here for all the deals on PCs, laptops, printers, and more!

• Software: Hooked on Phonics, Sceencast-O-Matic, and Perfectly Clear just a few of the deals that can support teaching and learning experiences in your school. Click here to see them all!

Adding a technological element can have a positive, spiraling effect on the educational landscape which, in turn, can alter students’ experiences in meaningful ways.  Tap into the power of technology and help author a new narrative.