Mistakes With Technology

Posted by Kenneth Ronkowitz on

I was sent a link to a blog post on "Seven stupid mistakes teachers make with technology" by Doug Johnson. The audience seems to be K-12 teachers, but I see no reason not to share with the higher education world.

I have to agree with mistakes like "not backing up data" and "thinking online communication is ever private."

But number 7 is the big one - "Thinking technology will go away in schools." Too many educators still seem to treat technologies like online learning, course management systems, ePortfolios and others as if they are just another education fad.

As the post says, "It is stupid to think technology will go away in education. It isn't going away in banking, medicine, business, science, agriculture - anywhere else in society. Thinking "this too shall pass" about technology is pretty stupid."

There are some good additions in the comments section of the post too.

  • Requiring students to do a project using software the teacher is not familiar with - a movie, PowerPoint presentation. web site, wiki - the teacher can't help and has no sense of how difficult the task might be.
  • Assuming students know how to do everything on the computer - our millennials are competent computer users and goof Net surfers, but need instruction in using apps like Microsoft Office and guidance in doing online research.

I'll add to the list: blaming the technology when a lesson or projects doesn't work out the way you planned; not being willing to go to training or reading the support materials for new software; expecting technology to improve your teaching on its own; not having a backup plan in case the technology fails.

What would you add to the list?

To be fair, Doug also offers "7 Brilliant Things Teachers Do With Technology" too.

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