Use it right, or don’t use it at all

     Categorizing use of tech in the four categories, substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition was extremely helpful for me in the conversation related to how to implement new technology advancements. One idea that stood out to me was the fact that using technology as substitution, and in some cases even for augmentation, really doesn’t increase the value of an activity. And the two questions I keep coming back are these: 1) What are the benefits and costs? 2) Do the benefits outweigh the costs?

    When technology is implemented as transformation, in either the modification or redefinition categories, the benefits vs costs question doesn’t really apply. But otherwise, I think it is worth considering the pros and cons. 

    Some common potential benefits I see in using simple implementation of technology could be increasing the efficiency of an assignment or project. This could be making it more efficient to distribute to students, or more efficient for the teacher to grade or collect. Another common benefit in the augmentation stage is access. For example, assigning math homework problems via a google forms provides easier access for students who maybe didn’t show up in person to class, or for students who lose a paper copy at home. There also could be some organizational benefit, keeping track of assignments or assessment over a longer period of time.

    Some potential negatives of using technology in the substitution/augmentation stages, is that often students become more distracted using a computer. With a screen in front of them it is easy for students to get distracted, looking at different homework assignment or playing snake (the one game not blocked on school computers). I asked multiple high school students, and they mentioned how doing math assignments online felt more challenging and less engaging compared to homework on paper. Another negative is that using technology may make it more challenging to understand students thought process and thinking. Additionally, there has been research that knowledge can be retained more easily when consumed via a hard copy (text book/paper) compared to reading off a computer. (But this isn’t super back up, so I’m open and excited to learn more about what the research shows.)

    The point is this, I want to know the benefits and the costs of any technology in the classroom so that I’m not using it just because its technology and really so that it benefits the students and the class.