Book Review: Making Technology Work in Schools (How PK-12 Educators Can

Foster Digital-Age Learning)

Authors: Timothy D. Green, Loretta C. Donovan, and Jody Peerless Green (New
York, Routledge Publishing, 2020, 209 pages) ISBN: 978-0-429-39895-7 (e-book)
Technology is rapidly evolving and is introduced to children at an early age.
Many things have changed and evolving along with the technology. Human believes
that change is a process although it is often initially discomforting and complex, but if
the change being approached in a procedural manner, the process can be
understood. Many see technology as a distraction, but the fact that educators can
benefit from integrating these advancements into their curriculum are real deal. The
educators are the change agent who is going to create a new model of education
suited to the 21st century.
Technology is a teaching tool, but it can never replace an educator. Like any
other tools, it is being used to facilitate and lighten the work of the educator. While
the educator utilizes technology as the tool for teaching, likewise it is an effective tool
for learning. As a learning tool, technology makes learning easy and effective. It can
produce learning outcomes. The educators also can utilize similar tools for learning.
The book mentioned about learner- centered learning which is what digital-
age learning produce. Every human is unique, we learn in our own different ways.
Everyone of us brings a distinct set of abilities, experiences, needs and preferences
to the classroom and of course that would affect how we approaches learning. The
learners nowadays, making their own learning environments. They are involved in
creating. Play and experimentation is part of learning, DIY (do – it- yourself) and
DIWO (do-it-with-others) is an opportunity to learn on their own or with others.
Learning is not what a child gets from a certain textbook in a class for 30 to 60
minutes only. With the digital-age learning, a child can learn anywhere at anytime not
only with their educators and classmates but also with their abundant access to
technologies. The learning through remixing and mash-up lead the learners view
themselves as a content creator. While the sense of change and innovation helps
learners to modify the technologies to fit their specific need. The method of think-
pair- share would help the learners to receive feedbacks and to learn new skills and
ideas.
Interactive educational assignments that require students to use apps on
mobile devices can keep students engaged with their studies by delivering
knowledge through a medium they are comfortable with. Introducing students to
technology in the classroom using computers and smart boards resonates with them
more than whiteboards and notebooks.
Our future generations need to have meaningful experiences in the classroom
in order to absorb all the knowledge, not only the academic curriculum, but also the
soft skills that every citizen needs to acquire in the early learning years. The core of
21st century learning is that, where educators must help their students to develop
specific work and life skills. Understand that life outside of school is nothing like the
classroom environment and requires different ways to succeed.
There are a few approaches that educators can foster in this digital-age
learning. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) or BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology),
Cloud- Based Learning, Flipped Learning, Gamification and Game-Based Learning,
Maker Spaces, Online Learning and Online Distance Education, Personalized
Learning, Open Educational Resources, Project – Based Learning and also
Universal Design for Learning. Infusing technology into classroom is to enhance the
learning in a content area or multidisciplinary setting. The approaches allow students
to create and demonstrate what is being taught and they are using various
applications to express ideas, thoughts and learning. These approaches that uses
technology leads students in learning the content and showing understanding of that
content, not just expertise with a tool.
I believe that that by using technology hand in hand with education we can
prepare our students for brighter futures.