I think it is safe to say that, if given the choice, most primary and secondary students today would come to school carrying their own laptop computers or tablets ready to connect to the campus wireless network so they could get about the business of thinking and learning. Visionary educational leaders today understand this and genuinely would like to meet the needs and expectations of their students by implementing technology-rich, anytime-anywhere education programs in their schools. And to my experience, it seems that most, if not all, of the pieces are now in place to make this a reality for our children.
Current research from multiple disciplines shows that digital natives thrive in technology-rich learning environments and that 24/7, anytime-anywhere access to ICT increases Digital Natives’ achievement, has the power to advance digital equity, and can enhance teaching and learning in every subject.
And while there have always been inspired educators with dreams of these new possibilities for learning, these dreams could not until very recently be turned into practice because of a lack of suitable technology. Fortunately, technology tools are now available that are affordable, durable and portable enough to make it possible for teachers, administrators, staff, students and parents to all have access to ICT whenever and wherever they need it.
Wireless environments can be established throughout the buildings where classes are conducted, giving educational leaders the capability to transform the entire school into one large “computer lab.” And on top of all that, case studies indicate that when carefully implemented, teachers and students really love this stuff.
Okay.
We know that many of the children who are attending our schools today have been clicking a mouse since they were very young children. These kids think and construct knowledge in ways that are greatly enhanced through the use of information and communication technologies. Indeed, to varying degrees, Digital Natives depend on ICT to think and learn. Almost any teacher will tell you that increasing numbers of Digital Natives attending our public schools are oftentimes bored and restless in class. And while it can certainly be argued that fidgety students have been attending class since the early days of the one room school house, I believe it is of special interest today because the traditional, widely accepted system of education that is the norm was not designed to meet the educational needs of the 21rst century student. Things have changed. These kids need something different. And ironically, in many cases, the kids can’t wait to get back home to their computing devices so they can think again.
Educational Leaders at all levels—from the schoolhouse to the Whitehouse—recognize the need for comprehensive educational systems and programs that effectively use the technology that has been proven to increase student academic achievement and advance digital equity. Technology tools are now cheap enough, durable enough and portable enough to be practical and appropriate for large-scale academic use. School principals, college deans, and district superintendents understand the need for immediate and deep reform and they want to make changes in their schools to better serve the Digital Natives.
So, given all of this, what I really want to know is… Where is the revolution?!
What can we all do to promote more technology-rich, anytime-anywhere education programs in our schools today? Is "Bring Your Own Device" part of the answer? Do we need more computer labs in schools or more Computers on Wheels? Do teachers need more technology support and professional development?
How can we empower administrators and teachers to adjust the structure of our schools to meet the educational needs of the students who are attending them today?
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