TCEA TECH TAKE Do better: evidence-based learning with technology By Miguel Guhlin
We must find a way forward that pairs strategies that work with effective digital tools.
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startling research finding challenges every technology buy you’ve made. That finding is that the more technology use there is, the lower the student performance. The Reboot Foundation’s data asserts a fascinating point that schools “may not use technology in a way that prompts richer forms of learning.” In this article, we’ll explore what you can do to make every buy a win for teachers and learners. Our guiding question is as follows: How can coaching, high-effect size instructional strategies and ed tech impact student growth? If instructional strategies don’t speed up student growth, skip them. Avoid pairing technology use with strategies that do not speed classroom learning. “This contemporary research is sometimes contradictory to present-day practices and beliefs about what works in schools and classrooms.” (Cathy Lassiter, “Everyday Courage for School Leaders”)
The research “Many old assumptions about what works best in education have been disproven,” says Lassiter. New scientific research has provided critical insights into how learning happens. These insights sweep aside what we thought we knew. “Millennials in the U.S. workforce … are now among the least well-educated,” cites Marc Tucker. He shares the facts in his book, “Leading High-Performance School Systems.” Tucker reminds us that we can do better with what we’re spending on education. That’s because other countries have been outperforming the United States. Worse, they have spent less on education than we have. See my notes at go.mgpd.org/leadhigh. The implications force us to reassess how we approach teaching, learning and technology — less drama, more clear-eyed thinking about what we must do differently. Let’s explore that below.
The revelation of visible learning “How many of you know about John Hattie’s work?” I asked the question of a packed room of more than 80 educators. Only a smattering of hands went up. My own experience with John Hattie’s work dates to 2018, an astonishing revelation at the time.
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