Pedagogy Before Technology

 

Kathryn Major

Library Science, Sam Houston State University

 LSSL 5391 01 Digital Technology for the School Librarian

Professor Gross

June 5, 2024

 

Pedagogy Before Technology

    I remember learning about Bloom’s Taxonomy in college classes. From there, Bloom’s implementation was through lesson plans daily focusing more on the higher order thinking skills. This is where scaffolding and spiraling from grade to grade are essential in the lower order thinking skills. The expectation between grade levels is that the previous has set the foundation to maximize learning. This leads to higher order thinking skills used with concepts already concrete. With technology interwoven into every aspect of our lives, we must embrace its presence and utilize it to the best potential. The update to Bloom’s Taxonomy “This revision is fundamentally based on the revised taxonomy proposed by Anderson et al [2], but is more inclusive of digital technologies and digital cognitive objectives.” (Churches, 2008, p.4)

    Being a teacher for eighteen years and a librarian for two, there have been significant changes in the technology practices of our students. When first starting out, students used computers to type papers for writing and for typing practice. The introduction of 1:1 technology in our district led to Chromebooks and iPads integration into lessons. At the height of Covid, we relied solely on technology to reach students for interactions and learning. This is where the biggest shift occurred with technology being a leading piece of instruction. Going back to my generation identity, I am always learning the latest and greatest to keep up with younger generations. The technology that our students use is impactful in and out of the classroom.

 

    As a member of the Gen X community, I can remember floppy disks in the Apple computers for Oregon Trail and Frogger. Our world did not rely on technology as we do today. Our family got our first desktop computer my sophomore year of high school. I received my first cell phone and laptop in 1999. Kids these days discover technology in infancy and beyond. Students see technology as “all knowing” whereas adults see it as a supplemental instrument. Our job is to teach them the correct way to use technology in a safe and meaningful way. Digital citizenship is the answer to this. Students can acknowledge that their fingerprints are permanent in the digital world.

    Beginning with our youngest students, we have a duty to help them navigate the online world correctly. Kathy Schrock’s app recommendations for supporting Bloom’s Updated Taxonomy are a great starting point. Through her acronyms of SAMR and TECH the educator designs higher-order cognitive skill level and student-centered, tech-integrated learning. (Schrock, 2012) I see technology as both a tool and foundational. The foundation aspect includes teaching them how to use apps, present, gather information, and interact in meaningful ways with peers and internet users. Also, they are how to type, save work, share their work, and how to use different platforms. Technology as a tool includes citing information, choosing how to share projects, and which app/platform is most appropriate for their learning. With both ways, students take charge of their learning with us as guides as needed. In the age of ever-changing technology, librarians should care about educational technology because most are also in charge of technology and STEM within and beyond their walls. Honing in on the latest that technology has to offer keeps us relevant to the success of our students. This transfers into the classroom with teaching our staff about up and coming technology.

    Changing technology impacts every aspect of instruction in and out of the library. We are leading our students down the digital path to direct their greatest capabilities of interacting online and ready to tackle it beyond their years in school. Librarians dutifully need to expose digital technology in a meaningful way. Our excitement and knowledge can influence our staff because we will be confident in how technology will evolve to fit our students’ needs.

References

Blooms’ Digital Taxonomy. Common Sense Education.    https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/blooms-digital-taxonomy.

 

Churches, A. (2008). Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy. https://www.ccconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Churches_2008_DigitalBloomsTaxonomyGuide.pdf

 

Nief, R. (2023). The First Marist Mindset List is Released. Marist College. https://www.marist.edu/w/marist-news-the-first-marist-mindset-list-is-released

 

Schrock, K. (2012). Bloomin’ Apps. Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything. https://www.schrockguide.net/bloomin-apps.html

 

Toolkits. (n.d.). K-12 Blueprint. https://www.k12blueprint.com/toolkits