By Allison Bailey and J. Puckett, The Republic
As U.S. educators and policymakers seek ways to boost student achievement, perhaps it’s time to consider a new model, harnessing the power and popularity of technology. In most classrooms today, cell phones, iPads and other electronic devices are considered distractions. Their use is discouraged, if not forbidden. That’s too bad, because technology may be the best way to reach and teach our kids, rather than the textbooks, chalkboards and projection screens previous generations preferred. Technology has succeeded in reshaping other industries, including banking and travel. Even the book-publishing industry is being transformed, as devices such as Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes&Noble’s Nook drive sales of e-books. Technology can transform education as well. But it can’t be used willy-nilly. If we want to realize technology’s full potential it needs to be used in a “closed-loop” system that uses technology at every level to provide continuous improvement in instruction and outcomes, with real-time feedback and one-on-one intervention, where necessary. So why has education been left out of the technology revolution?
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