A Lesson to Remember from the Business Community

The education community can learn a lesson from the business community in the way we integrate technology into what we do in the classroom. Too often, our model in education is like the diagram below. We find or get a tool and then try to find a "problem" or a place to make it work.




Instead of putting the cart before the horse as is common in the education community, the business community starts with a problem and then either finds a tool that will solve the problem or makes the tool that will solve the problem as in the diagram below.




Granted, my examples may be a bit oversimplified, but in the big picture of things, this is actually the way things should work when looking at integrating technology. While working on my Master's degree in Computer Applications in Education from the University of Northern Iowa, the emphasis was not on computers or software. The emphasis was on Instructional Design. Before integrating technology or any tool you may wish to use, it is important to have the purpose, goals and objectives outlined for what the student needs to know. Only then can one begin to integrate the technology. the teacher needs to know his/her content and pedagogy before adding the third component of technology

It's Not Your Grandmother's Technology

I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I am doing great and have learned some lessons, so no worry there. One of the things I noticed was that even in this, technology use is evident. My grandmother had diabetes and had to check her glucose levels. However, she did it with a type of litmus paper and checking her urine. Now, all that needs to be done is to use device smaller than my cell phone with a test strip inserted. With one tiny drop of blood on the test strip, the glucose monitor calculates my blood glucose level in about 5 seconds - and, I would argue, probably more accurate than the tests my grandmother had to use.

In addition, I go to a site called Gyminee where I can get the amount of carbs per serving for about anything one can eat. It is a site for nutrition and health, so if you are a Consumer and family Science teacher, this might be a place for you to check out.

Things That Cannot be Replaced

Our family recently had a close relative pass away after a surgery.

Technology was evident in everything during this past 5 weeks - from the surgery to intensive care to rehab - technology is everywhere in the medical field. It still does not replace a good surgeon, doctor or nurse. Even in parts of the grieving process, technology was evident. Pictures of our relative and his family were scanned and a slide show set to music was available for visitors to see at the funeral home. DVDs were made for family members. GPS was used in locating and digging the grave site. Who would have thought? Our relative will be greatly missed.

Another thing technology won't replace is the Sympathy Card. Roughly 600 and still coming at this time. In fact, I don't think technology should replace it. As much as one can "personalize" things with technology, there is still something about the handwritten note which carries more emotion and sincerity.

I think some of this can be applied to technology in education. I recently read where, in the business world, a problem presents itself and the technology is developed to solve the problem. The author contrasted that with education in that in the education field, the technology is adopted and then people realize that there is a problem - either with its use, integration or application. Many times expensive tools will sit in the corner. I trust that this is not true for you or your school, but if it is, hopefully, we can adapt more of the business model.

Finally, as I mentioned earlier, technology won't replace the Sympathy Card. Well, I will expand that to education and argue that technology will never replace a good teacher - a teacher who is making decisions based on pedagogy, content and technology to provide students with the best chance to learn and succeed. Thank you for all you do!