“Media” is the Message?

In my opinion media is not the message. The key to student deep learning is through collaboration and well-developed lesson planning. As the librarian, it will be my job to help teachers plan lessons that focus on the objective not on the technology being used. If technology is appropriate to make the learning of a lesson deeper for mastery of the content, then I will help the teacher integrate the appropriate technology tools. Last week I attended Lone Star TIA 2017 in North Texas. One of the leading Technology Conferences in the area. The key note speaker on day two was Eric Sheninger. He discussed “digital leadership” and what that means in education. During his speech one of the main points that stuck with me was, “Focus on pedagogy first, and technology second when appropriate” (Sheninger, 2017). I totally agree with his statement. Using technology just to use it in the classroom without a real purpose or a well defined plan is not going to prepare our 21^st century learners for the real world. The teacher must first develop the purpose of the lesson and then decide if using technology will be appropriate to help produce the end learning objective. Kozma and Clark debated the use of media in the classroom. I think they both have great points, but the bottom line is not the media or technology it is the learning objectives that we want our students to have a deep understanding off. If media (technology) can help support the learning or make the learning deeper than it is appropriate to use it in the lesson. If a teacher is just using the technology in the classroom with the lesson so they can say they used technology then it will not provide the desired outcome. As a librarian in a school I can support teachers with developing curriculum that is deep in meaning, while helping teachers decide which media may help students demonstrate conceptual mastery of the intended learning outcome (Sheninger, 2016). The SAMR is a model of teaching and learning technology using the digital blooms by Dr. Ruben Puentedura (Common Sense Media). Substitution is where a tech tool substitutes for a regular tool to complete a task – using a word doc instead of paper and pencil. Augmentation is where tech acts as a tool substitute with a functional improvement, such as using spell, grammar checks within a word processing program. Modification allows a tech tool to redesign a task, such as a google doc that can be shared and feedback given. Redefinition uses tech for creation of new tech previously inconceivable – transforming an essay or story into a media video by using an app. Daggett (2014) helped transform the SAMR in to the Rigor/Relevance Framework. The framework is a two-dimensional framework based on higher standards and student achievement.

The four quadrants focus on rigor and relevance to students learning. The rigor side focuses on higher order thinking, while the relevance side focuses on the real-world application. Combining the two dimensions together helps educators produce the best learning experience for the students, which in turn will produce higher achievement. As a librarian, the key to success of integrating technology appropriately will be collaboration, which will also be one of the biggest challenges. Working with teachers to create the best lesson to teach an objective while considering what the end product that is desired will be. Then as the technology specialist for the campus I can make technology tool suggestions that properly pair with the lessons objective and assessment needs. So, in conclusion Media is not the message. Pedagogy is the main focus in education and media is one of the tools that can be used to increase student achievement and higher-level thinking skills. Keeping the focus of why we (educators) are doing what we are doing is essential for continued growth in our schools and communities.

Reference

Common Sense Media. Introduction to SAMR model. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/introduction-to-the-samr-model#

Daggett, W. (2014). Rigor / relevance framework: a guide to focusing resources to increase student performance. Retrieved from http://www.leadered.com/pdf/Rigor_Relevance_Framework_2014.pdf

Edutech Wiki. (2012). The media debate. Retrieved from http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/The_media_debate

Sheninger, E. (April 25, 2016). Why pedagogy first, tech second stance is key to the future. EdTech. Retrieved from https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2016/04/why-pedagogy-first-tech-second-stance-key-future

Sheninger, E. & Kieschnick, W. (May 6, 2016). How to integrate Google apps with the rigor relevance framework. Ed Tech. Retrieved from https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2016/05/how-integrate-google-apps-rigor-relevance-framework