Blog Post 4: Reflection

The use of technology in the classroom and library have great benefits for the education of students. Library standards specifically state that technology should be used by the librarian to further student understanding and success. Technology is such a large part of the modern world that it cannot be left out of the education system without consequences. The 21^st Century Learner is surrounded by technology and must use it every day to be succeed, therefore learning using technology is a natural and obvious decision in the classroom. Librarians as teachers must aide students in finding resources and tools that will help them succeed. By using technology in their library’s, librarians engage students in their learning and equip them for their futures.

The AASL’s Standards for the 21^st Century Learner (p. 2) specifically states that “Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.” Without these skills students are unable to succeed and navigate their environment. This is why it is important that technology be addressed in the classroom. In order to equip future citizens with the tools that they need to survive and thrive in the world, understanding and using technology must be a part of the learning process. While many may understand that an ability to use technology is essential to a 21st Century Learner, finding ways to implement the use of technology in education, can be difficult and require creativity that the librarian or teacher may not believe they possess.

Implementing technology in education requires creativity and collaboration. While students may work on projects face to face in the library, using collaborative applications, such as Google Docs, or blogging tools, can facilitate shared learning and ease group projects. The teacher or librarian must be a lifelong learner and collaborate with others in order to make effective use of technology in their classroom (Hamilton 2011). Other ways to include technology include Project Based Learning and allowing students to create, using online tools (McGrath 2015).While using technology in the classroom requires collaboration and innovation, it is well worth the effort, simply because students are more engaged in their learning and are gaining skills that they need for the future.

By using technology in the classroom, students gain a better understanding of tools that they will use in the real world and their future workplaces. They are also often more engaged in their learning which helps them succeed in the long run. Librarians and teachers who use technology in the classroom in innovative ways, that allow students to interact with material in a hands on a creative way, show their students how to responsibly interact with technology and influence them to become lifelong learners as they adapt to technological challenges and changes. 

References:

AASL’s Standards for the 21 Century Learner found at http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_LearningStandards.pdf

Hamilton, B. J. (2011). The School Librarian as Teacher: What kind of teacher are you?. Knowledge Quest, 39(5), 34-40.

McGrath, K. G. (2015). SCHOOL LIBRARIES & INNOVATION. Knowledge Quest, 43(3), 54-61.