Media (is) the message?

Media (is) the message?

Is the medium truly the message?

No, in my opinion we can use different mediums to deliver our instruction or message. So much emphasis has been placed in incorporating technology into our lessons without a true understanding of why we are doing it. As mentioned by Eric Sheninger, "schools are going all in with 1:1 or BYOD initiatives with no real plan for implementation and evaluation of effectiveness" (Sheninger 2015). Just because we provide each student with an iPad does not guarantee student success. Direct instruction and meeting individual needs for each of our students is the key component for student success. Don't get me wrong, I do feel that technology can have an impact on how students learn when used intentionally. Having done some research as to why we are using certain apps and website is a good place to start. Assuming that all students are tech savvy is another misconception many educator make. We must also teach our students moral and ethical use of technology. So is the medium truly the message? No, we as educators are the ones who deliver the message.

The role of a school librarian to support student and teacher learning

Librarians wear many different hats. Not only are we an important component of student learning but also teacher learning. As librarians we must ensure that we train our teachers with the latest technological findings available. We are the ones that can recommend ways in which technology can be used in the classrooms. After all we are the media specialist at our campuses. This is true especially for veteran teachers that are "afraid" of technology. It has been my personal experience that new teachers are very excited about using technology with their students, while the teachers that have been in the classrooms for over 20 years refuse to have any part it. As school librarians we can also support student learning. We can help them improve their skills in information literacy, research skills to become independent learners and develop presentation skills. We must ensure that students become critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.

Technology can used to teach and learn

Technology can be a powerful teaching and learning tool. Had I been asked 10 years ago if I would go back to school to earn my Master Degree online, I probably would have said no. Technology did not play a huge part of my early education. I didn't even get my first cell phone until I was in college! Yet, here I am today learning through technology. Times have changed and our younger generation can not go a day without the use of their mobile devices. So as educators we must adapt and use this to our advantage. If our students love technology, let's use it to teach.

Librarians support this vision of using technology to teach and learn

Libraries are not just buildings filled with books with a librarian sitting behind her desk. Librarians support the curriculum to promote literacy development and fostering lifelong readers. We offer a wealth of educational resources for students in the form of online databases, eBooks, audiobooks, online catalogs, research tools and websites that are available at school and home. This year at my library we also incorporated technology centers. Here students have access to Osmo kits, Makey makey, Dash and Dot, LittleBits and Ozobots. Teaching students how to code has also been incorporated into our lesson plans. More and more we are using technology as a teaching tool in our libraries. We must present our students with multiple opportunities to develop information skills that will allow them to successfully use technology as a learning tool.

Factors that hinder the adoption of technology in education

Obviously the number one factor that will hinder the adoption of technology in education is the lack of funds. Now, we can make this the excuse for not incorporating technology or we can find a solution. Last year when I became a librarian I was devastated to hear that my yearly budget was $2,000 to buy books and other resources for my library. There was no money allotted for buying devices to enhance technology in the library. So I decided to get funded for projects by DonorsChoose.org. To date I have been funded 4 times and this has given me the opportunity to incorporate technology centers in the library. Another factor that could hinder the adoption of technology in education is the lack of support from administrators and teachers. If the administration does not feel that spending money on technology will have an impact on student success they might decide to spend the monies elsewhere. It is then our job to provide evidence of why we need technology in education. You can do this by providing research and providing trainings to the teachers and administration on the value of incorporating technology for our 21st century learners.

References:

Sheninger, E. (2015, April 26). Why Pedagogy First, Tech Second Stance is Key to the Future. EdTech.