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Pedagogy, not tools

  • Writer: Sarah Hodgson
    Sarah Hodgson
  • Aug 24, 2017
  • 3 min read


I’m three weeks into my new role as ICT Integration Coach at an international school in Africa. Even though it’s my 23rd year of teaching I still crave more. More learning.


As is always the case, in most schools, the start of the academic year is a frantic time. It’s easy to get caught up in the little things. I’m determined not to dwell for too long on those little things that take time away from the big picture. The reason why we, as educators, are here.


So, I’ve started as I mean to go on. Reading. Learning. Starting with a recent report from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) – Redefining learning in a technology-driven world (June 2016). The ISTE Standards for Students were revised in 2016, updated to reflect a focus on learning goals as opposed to tools and apps. This report outlines the research behind the Standards and ISTE’s methodology that is described as “collaborative, purposive, and grounded”. 


Some reflections, and thoughts about my coming year, from having read the report:


  1. “At their core, the ISTE standards are about pedagogy, not tools”. This speaks to my core and is a part of who I am as an educator. At my core, I am about pedagogy, not tools.

  2. The four Cs – communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration – remain as long standing essential skills. It must be fifteen to twenty years ago that I first heard the term ‘4Cs’. With the pace of our world today they are evermore important.

  3. “Empowering students to take ownership of their learning emerged as a major theme…”.  ‘Empowered student learning’ is now Standard 1. Placement alone is an indication of how important this is. I have many thoughts and wonderings around the concept of empowerment – what it really means, what it really looks like, and how we can do this better. I have this book ready on my bedside table:


  1. Computational thinking (CT) emerges as a vital skill. ISTE (2016) state that it is “an important, contemporary literacy for all students”. It’s not just about coding. It’s not just for computer nerds. This one is on my Kindle – ready to read! I will definitely be looking for ways to develop the students’ CT skills.


  1. Digital Citizenship – all students need to learn “how to be safe, legal and ethical online” (ISTE, 2016). I believe this is crucial and should be extremely high on our list of priorities. I’ve already started discussing digital citizenship with students. We’ve been using the Common Sense Media curriculum as a base, and adapting it for our school and our students. I’m not interested in reinventing the wheel just yet! I’m also going to be working with the Elementary and Secondary Technology and Counselling teams to ensure that our students know how to function safely and responsibly online.



  1. Design processes and the maker movement – the term ‘makerspace’ could be in danger of becoming thought of as a passing, albeit trendy, fad. However the more I read about the maker movement, the deeper I understand. Currently reading this one! It doesn’t have to be a school full of the latest gadgets and gizmos. Remember: Pedagogy, not tools. With design thinking and the power of learning through play at the core, there is potential for students to experience pure, and true, innovation. I’m currently knee deep in the transformation of the old computer lab. It’s early days, but I can already feel a shift happening. A good one.

So, I have much to read, and much, much more to learn. Always have, always will.

Looking forward to a year of enormous growth as an educator – watch this space!


Please feel free to suggest any other must-reads on student empowerment, CT, or makerspaces in the comment section below.







Attributions:




Learn image: http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/static/photo/1x/Wooden-Letters-Learn-Word-Scrabble-1820039.jpg


Empower book image: https://georgecouros.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Front-Cover-683×1024.jpg


No Fear Coding image: https://www.iste.org/handlers/productimage.ashx?id=3981


Maker Movement Manifesto image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71rH4gkGy7L.jpg



 
 
 

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