Innovation vs. Technology Saturation

"Doing the same thing over and over, yet expecting different results, is the definition of crazy."  — Unknown

With the implementation of iPad, iPod, tablet, Mac Books, laptops, Smartboards, and 1:1 device/BYOD roll-outs and policies, we have saturated our classrooms with the latest and greatest tools to help our students maximize their learning opportunities...or have we?  If all the technology leaves your head spinning, how must our students feel?  I can tell you: they feel eager, hungry, and excited!  They WANT the opportunities that technology offers.  

So with your students sitting, no STANDING, and salivating to learn as much from these resources as possible, how are you providing the quench to their thirst?

Are the devices in your classroom consumption tools?  Do your kids play games and interact with consumptive learning apps on their tablets?  Do you have them interact with lessons by texting answers or submitting responses to you electronically?  Do they watch video clips or read e-readers on their devices?  How are YOU delivering information to your students?  

If your students are independent learners navigating throughout the curriculum only as islands floating among each other with an occasional bumping into one another for a brief exchange of information, how is having technology in your classroom creating any difference in their performance and learning opportunities as when there was less technology in your classroom?

If you are still teaching the same way as you have in the past 5 years, if you are still the giver of knowledge and they the receivers, then you are a technology saturated teacher.  You feel overwhelmed with the idea of integration and tend to rely on what worked "last year" and tend to plan with technology as an after thought or a tool to provide information to students.  Are you simply repackaging the same old stuff in different, prettier, and more expensive digital wrapping?

I recently encountered a product of such a learning environment when I dined out at a local restaurant while visiting my daughter at college.  The college student waitress greeted us with a panic in her voice.  

"Oh, you don't want to be here!  Our computers are down and all these people are stuck here!" she warned.

We convinced her that we would be fine paying cash and sat down to order our food.  

"I'm so sorry," she interjected as she fumbled for her notepad, "you have no idea how dedicated to technology we are!"

I couldn't help but reply, "I don't think 'dedicated' is the word you are looking for there.  Perhaps 'dependent' is more appropriate?"

"Well," she said, "I am just really scared right now.  I don't know what to do."

By the end of the dining experience, she had messed up all of our orders and even miscalculated the tab.  Luckily the restaurant's technology was restored and she was back into her comfort zone.

This is NOT what we want.  It isn't enough to teach with technology or how to use technology for fact finding.  We have to teach kids how to think, how to think for themselves, and how technology can be utilized to enhance their learning, and how they can create meaningful learning opportunities for themselves through the use of technological integration.  

Innovation?  Then What is it?   

If we want our kids to use technology authentically, the way we do as adults and problem solvers, then we need to let go of the fear of allowing students time to struggle and embrace the chance we have to completely change everything we do!  Kids are learning without us, so how can we be significant and relevant and create globally connected learning environments that not only provide authentic and meaningful learning experiences, but also evens the playing field for some of our kids whose life experiences are grossly limited.

Recently I wrote an article that was published in eSchool News about how I have changed everything I do and have seen scores soar.  But neither I nor my students are defined by scores.  We are defined by the way we react to new situations that require us to think, reflect, analyze, and solve problems.  We are defined by how we work together, and with others, to create new ideas and thinking.  How are YOU being innovative?