My big concern in starting to write a Blog was if I could post with consistency and frequency. I feared that I would run out of things to say, or I wouldn’t be able to produce posts quickly enough to hold an audience. I have discovered that Twitter, and all that becomes associated with it, keeps that from happening. I often recollect the only memorable line from Godfather III. ”Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” , Thanks Al Pacino.
I had such a moment this week as I observed a live-streamed meeting in a land far away. I added to the backchannel stream with Twitter as I watched the action (I felt very techie). Backchanneling is tweeting comments about the meeting as it is in progress. Often the Twitterstream is projected on a screen in the room for all to see. The topic was Tech in ed . I was stopped in my tracks by one committee member, identified as a Professor, who asked a question about the research supporting the use of Tech in Education. Honestly, I don’t even remember the exact words, because to me the exact words did not really matter. I was already too busy screen-screaming at my computer.
This is not 1975. Technology is here. Technology is a tool to retrieve and transmit information. Information is what we need for learning. We retrieve information. We analyze information. We interpret information. We restructure information. We exchange information with others. We respond to information from others. We create with information. We even create original information.(notice small direct sentences and easy, understandable vocabulary)
With all of that clearly and simply stated, an educator should be asking a different question. What does the research tell me about the best tool to use with my lesson? Research should help determine the best way to use technology in relation to information needed. We may find that, for a specific lesson, the pencil technology serves us best. For other lessons word processing technology is needed. As educators we should know the difference and how we want to use the tools.I am keeping the examples simple for the purpose of common experiences. Some web 2.0 applications have no meaning to some educators, so they would not serve as good examples. That is telling in itself.
It is my opinion that a question from any educator in 2010 about research in technology and learning is only code for something else. To me it says” I am happy with what I am doing and you can’t make me do it any differently, because science is not on your side!” That is my view, so do not run to the comment box, since that is my perception which makes it my reality. It does not have to be yours.
Unfortunately, over my long career I have seen research cause trends which are the rage for a while, but then fade away. It has conditioned educators not to pay so much attention to whatever is happening now, because next year it may be gone. Educators should now be aware however, that technology is not such an educational fad. It no longer needs justification with research. It is here to stay and it is moving forward. It is the educational system that is becoming stagnant.
I believe in research in Education. Research in learning and how we learn is valuable. The tools that we use are also important, but they are not the end all in learning. Think of technology as informational delivery systems. Information In! Information Out! If one tool is better than another for a teacher to accomplish the goal, then select the best tool.
If all Educators believed in research as well, especially those who ask about tech and learning research, we might be looking at a different education system. Bloom’s Taxonomy would direct us to creative learning instead of lecturing facts. So, educators, be careful of what you wish, for it may yet require you to change. There is so much research that is ignored by educators in their day-to-day teaching , that it seems somewhat hypocritical to call upon research to fend off the use of technology.
The next time you are in a meeting which is discussing Technology and Education, be wary of those who ask if research supports the use of technology in Education. That person may be asking a question, but stating something completely different. That was my take-away from that educational meeting in a land far away that I attended and participated in and learned. That would not have been done without the tools of technology. Come to think of it the tools of technology have you here with me now. Does the research matter to you?
My Island View 
I’m still digesting your thoughts, but I have a colleague whose mantra is, “yeah, but where’s the research.” I’m going to come back and read this tonight. Thanks Tom!
What a great post! It made me think of a cute if snarky come-back the next time someone asks me if I have research to support my use of technology in my English classes: no, do you have research that supports your use of pen and paper? Tools are tools. They don’t change the world on their own. They need to be used effectively.
I’m going to remember this one! Sometimes “snarky” is necessary.
I see your point and agree to a certain point. Yes, it’s completely irrelevant to ask if technology use in the classroom in general is backed by research (though I think there are studies that do exactly that… I’m not sure why this person even asked). However, I think it’s valid to ask how different uses of technology in the classroom affect learning, what aspect of teaching it improves, what are the effects of some specific tool, etc, etc. For example, I’ve seen some interesting research on second language education and using online tools (various kinds) to improve learning. I don’t think research like that should stop, so it’s valid to keep asking questions about technology in the classroom.
A major issue here is that ROI (fiscal or otherwise) is based around metrics. Show me a spreadsheet with a line graph going up from left to right. The cultural shift happening in schools, corporations, service industry and in our own homes, asks us to look at quality which is, today, still very subjective. When people see improvement in high-stakes testing, they can point to a chart and everyone nods. When 10th grade Timmy says “technology helps me engage and stay focused”, they shrug their shoulders and write it off as anecdotal. I agree the questions need to be asked, but what is the tipping point when the answers that support tech integration are accepted as fact and not glossed over as one-offs?
ROFL. I was laughing at your “screen-screaming” line. Nice.
There was a show on TV in the 90s called Babylon 5. Good scifi show. One of the characters named Kosh said “The avalanche has already started, it’s too late for the pebbles to vote.” This is definitely applicable to Tech in Education. Some people need to be hit with the Clue Bat.
Keep up the blogging! I am enjoying listening to the “wise sage”. 🙂
Love the post Tom. I couldn’t agree more, but the thing I think about with technology, is that it changes so quickly, it would be almost impossible to determine if a certain tool has a positive effect on student scores on standardized tests. By the time the research could be completed, the technology could be outdated or no longer used. I think our focus needs be on student learning, not standardized scores. Think of all of the skills on display form the Van Meter students yesterday during our presentation, and it is enough proof for me that the tools we are supplying our students with are making a difference in their learning.
Schools need to adapt to the tools available today and the depth and understanding of students will not only increase greatly, but the rate in which learning occurs will increase as well. Our students are being exposed to educators from all over the world through technology and not only are our students are creating new knowledge from these experiences, they are able to share their learnings as well.
It is an amazing time we live in. Van Meter leaders are committed to helping facilitate the transformation of education and we are glad you are helping us lead the way. Your commitment to connecting educators everywhere is inspiring, and you are having a lasting impact on our cause at Van Meter. It is appreciated and I hope you are collecting these blog posts for a book in the future:) Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
As always, I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I am going to forward this one to my colleagues. I agree with Deron that part of the problem acquiring solid “research” regarding the impact of technology on learning is the speed of change. The anecdotal evidence can be compelling and we can’t wait to use these tools until outdated corroboration is found by some “study.” I also appreciate the comments and am totally incorporating the Babylon 5 line provided by crudbasher into my quote repertoire. Also, thanks for adding to my tech vocabulary with “screen-screaming.” I was pleased to see Deron added his voice to the chorus, “Write a book!”
Hi Tom.
I finally carved out time to read your new blog and found it most enlightening—not at all surprising.
Regarding research wedding literacy to technology, I read with interest on the topic monthly through The Reading Teacher. Some wonderful articles include: Blogging to Teach Online Reading Comprehension (Vol 62 Number 8 May 2009), Using Podcasts to Enhance Science Vocabulary (Vol 63 Number 2 Oct. 2009), and Proofreading through Podcasting (Vol 62 Number 6 March 2009 ) to just name a few over the course of the year. Each article beautifully highlights the benefits derived from using technology.
I myself enjoy learning from your progressive community, ergo being a follower of many techs on TWITTER. Recently, someone on TWITTER sent out the site, FlickrPoet.com and I immediately tried it out and will certainly share it with my students in my next course. In fact, I already sent it to a number of colleagues.
As for other academicians in our profession, I think a number of individuals fear using something that is unknown to them or are uncomfortable embracing change.
My closing thoughts, please tell your community to do more interdisciplinary work with us or maybe be more hands-on with others, breaking down the barriers to change.
Thanks for putting this out there for us.
Best,
Robin
Excellent post! I just loved the following sentence, especially because “technology” can be replaced by so many other important innovations in the classroom.
“There is so much research that is ignored by educators in their day-to-day teaching, that it seems somewhat hypocritical to call upon research to fend off the use of technology.”