YOU THINK YOU HAVE ISSUES!
- Charles Shewell
- Jul 7, 2022
- 3 min read
Critical Issues Within Educational Technology
Educational technology plays an integral role in the learning experience. When technology is properly integrated into a classroom environment the benefits are endless and engagement is boundless, however because 21st century learning has evolved so much, so quickly, there are a multitude of critical issues that education faces as well. Educational technology can and will continue to make positive contributions to learning, but we must also ask ourselves what problems are being contributed by this as well.
According to critical theorists in the realm of educational technology we have a moral obligation to look into issues created in education and individuals, as students and teachers alike unknowingly welcome technology into the classroom without questions as to why this tech is being integrated. Some of the issues are not necessarily caused by technology in the classroom, but rather generally technology in education. Looking into these critical issues holds great importance in order to gain a better understanding of the value technology can have on education. Minimizing these issues, or eliminating them altogether, holds great significance in helping schools and higher education focus on the improvements of student learning.
DATA & ANALYTICS
State agencies store and manage a collection of data from educational systems about students, teachers, and schools that is used for educational improvements, but each data agency does not necessarily align or coordinate with each other, causing diminished values of the stored information. One critical issue is that there is not a consistent standard for shared information such as GPA. In order to make policy decisions, there must be a centralized system to improve analysis. Data systematically mined from a wide variety of sources, “big data”, can provide school administration information on how to further help teacher and student growth. Because no two students are alike in the educational journey, predictive analytic systems can positively guide student pathways. Predictive analytics can also provide leaders with data showing which technology systems may better serve their schools. One of the concerns many have, myself included, is how this data will be used and who has access to this information. In education, copious amounts of data is collected, so data security and data privacy are of valuable importance in what data is collected, how it is shared, and who has access. I am interested in learning more about the policies in place as well as researching compliance ratings from conducted audits.
TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY
Tech continues to emerge as growth in educational tech application and tech mediated instruction does. Proper implementation of technology tools or systems takes time and requires training and support. Implementing technology into the classroom can have its issues as some technology is not as effective as previously thought, causing institutions to purchase something that fades away as a fad. Integrating technology needs to add value to the learning itself, as well as improving the instructional process long term. Accessibility to this technology also plays a factor in implementation. With new technology systems, comes the risk of breaches in the network and the threat of hacking, sometimes through third party systems. Privacy policies need to be put in place, as well as keeping updated data inventories, having safeguards, and management.
BARRIERS
Other critical issues are barriers created by technology being integrated into education. Many districts and universities are limited in readily available bandwidth capacity. Access to affordable connectivity is a struggle for most K-12 schools. Schools need to accommodate student growth year after year as blended learning continues its growth as well. Having the right infrastructure allows learners accessibility to digital content to make blended learning functional. This allows students with disabilities to be on a level playing field as those without them. One of the main barriers I have come across in my classroom is learners that are not digitally literate. Digital literacy skills are crucial in creating informed and productive learners as they navigate through social, economic, and educational participation as it has become a fundamental skill.
POLICY
Policies are only good when implemented properly, so maintaining a structurally sound framework ensures support for standards, systems, and practices. Local and state policies must be aligned with federal guidelines in order to ensure districts are not confused and making mistakes. Policies for data privacy and security need to be put in place for student security. With policy comes enforcement of the policies, which provides a higher level of effectiveness and accountability.
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