💬 I Don’t Think I’m an EdTech Guy Anymore
My interest has shifted to talking about learning more broadly, stripping away the specifics and focusing on what matters most whether or not it includes a specific technology or not. I noticed recently that many of my talks rarely include much of a reference to technology. The other part of the change for me is that much of what constituted technology in my early years has been either adopted or embedded into learning. Using digital media to create and consume, expanding classrooms to connect with experts and other learners, connecting assessment to technology, effectively using mobile devices as well as exploring the growing interest in digital citizenship were all topics and areas I spent time teaching and supporting. Today those topics, while still of interest do not have the same “newness” that we associate when with think of technology.
Dean, it is interesting reading Audrey Watters’ list of edtech debacles and thinking about where I stand and how that has changed over time. Although I am heavily involved with technology, I find the work that really needs to be done is in regards to change management. It feels like ten years ago the focus was on what was possible in regards to ‘transforming’ education, however as you touch upon, maybe the focus is now needed in other areas, such as learning and possibly policy.