Resources and Notes from the January 10, 2018, Brown Brown Bag Lunch session at the Maine Math and Science Alliance on Technology in Maine’s Schools.

 

What is Popular

• Maker Spaces & Design Thinking
• Chromebooks
• Cloud Computing, Learning Management Systems, Learning Progress Management Systems
• Online Learning Systems & Virtual Teachers
• Gamification
• Micro-credentials

 

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Gimmick Education / Gadget Education
• Adult Convenience
• Misunderstanding Cost
• Overly Focused on Efficiencies
• Focus on Tools, Not the Learning – Learning Resources without Learning Theory
• Overly Focused on the Basics and Foundational Knowledge
• Focus on Low Impact/No Impact Motivators

 

What We Need

• Keep Learning First
• Vision for Learning / Instructional Model (Strong Focus on Engagement and Motivation – used as Compass and Filter)
• Leadership for Learning (with Technology)
• Shared Leadership
• Positive Pressure and Support
• Building Buy-in
• Quality, Proficiency-based Professional Learning
• Learner-focused Access

 

Challenges Keeping Us from Getting There

• Quest for the (simple-to-implement) Silver Bullet
• Education Policy Madness – inc. Policy Driven by Vendors
• Thinking that Teaching and Learning are the Same Thing
• Violating the Norms of Education – Paradigm Paralysis
• How We (don’t) Support Over-Tasked, Under-Resourced Schools
• Southern Maine Mindset in a Rural State
• Technology Access Divide & Technology Learning Divide

 

Additional Resources:

• Maine Center for Meaningful Engaged Learning (McMEL)
• Multiple Pathways Blog