Educational Technology Personal Philosophy Paper 

Educational Technology to Make Learning Interesting and Accessible

Personal Philosophy

My personal philosophy on the purpose of technology in education is to improve the approach to learning by making instruction easier and attractive for learners.  Technology allows us to have new and innovative ways to teach people new things by allowing lessons to meet students’ individual needs.  Teachers can use technology as a tool to transform learning by engaging their students in unique ways by giving them choices, incorporate games, and allow for collaborative learning.  This provides students with immediate access to an immeasurable amount of material and resources.  

Teachers can determine how technology is used in the classroom, but would need to incorporate a great amount if they want to be able to keep up and move toward a more digital and technological environment for all students.  One thing that teachers need to keep in mind is that all students do not have the same access to technology.  Students who have limited or no access to technology at home have challenges completeing homework due to the lack of internet access.  Students who do not have access to technology outside of the classroom are more likely to have less technology skills than their peers (Lebens, 2022).  Fortunately, students have the opportunity to utilize devices that schools provide. Teachers can assist with meeting the needs of individual students by providing time after school for those who need wifi access or help navigating these devices to complete work so they do not fall behind.  Once students become comfortable using technology more, they learn about all the choices they have by using it as a tool for research, or practice for skill building.  Allowing students to use educational technology tools can enhance teaching practices and provide students with skills to succeed in their future (Hockenberry, 2023). 

Technology changes quicker than educators can keep up, but teachers will always be more important.  In the 1960’s, it was thought that computers would take over teaching positions (Huges & Roblyer, 2022).  Today, we see that technology would not be able to replace a good teacher in a physical classroom setting.  During the Covid 19 pandemic, many teachers were forced to teach using an online model which set some students back in their learning.  Students who learn best through a hands on approach had a more difficult time adapting to the new platform of learning (Lebens, 2022).  Teachers should not be repleaced by computers or robots because they form a personal connection that help to motivate, guide, mentor and foster emotional growth in their students on top of teaching classroom content.  In a technologcial world, it would be beneficial to have teachers who are both student centered and can easily adopt to new technology tools and processes (Hughes & Roblyer, 2022).     

In the bible, Jesus uses parables in the same way we use technology: as an innovative way to promote learning and growth.  When it comes to meeting the individual needs of learners, Jesus shows examples of that in the bible.  In Mark 4:38, Jesus is recognized as a teacher by his disciples on several occasions.  He shows his divine understanding of pedagogy by knowing what people need and providing it to them as he teaches.  In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus understands the needs of the pharisee he is talking to.  It says “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home just before God.  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted  (The Holy Bible; New International Version, 1978/ 2011, Luke 8:14).  In this situation, Jesus teaches the importance of praying with the right attitude.  The pharisee thinks he is superior to all others so Jesus teaches him with a parable that addresses his need for humility.  

When it comes to making learning interesting for students, Jesus in his divine wisdom knows that learning and growth happens when his students are interested in their education.  To engage the disciples and keep them interested, Jesus performs miracles and uses several instances of experimental, hands on learning.  A particular instance of Jesus using miracles and experimental, hands on learning to keep his disciples interested is when he teaches the apostles about his Divine Godhood by having Peter walk on water.  In Matthew 14:22-33, the apostles see Jesus walking on water.  In seeing this, they illustrate their lack of knowledge by becoming terrified and suspecting Him to be a ghost.  In response to this, Jesus captures the interest of the apostles by performing a miracle: allowing Peter to walk to Him on the water’s surface.  The result of this approach by Jesus is an increase in learning which is illustrated in the aposteles’ declaration of Him to truly be the Son of God (Matthew 14:33). 

When it comes to making learning easy for learners, Jesus utilizes various teaching methods to make it easier for his students to learn.  As the Divine Teacher, Jesus also takes a student’s learning style into consideration when choosing a method to use when teaching others.  A particular instance of this is seen in the way Jesus teaches one of his closest disciples: Saint Thomas.  In John 20, Saint Thomas is portrayed as an apostle who did not at first believe that Jesus rose from the dead (John 20:25).  Saint Thomas, a visual learner, declares that he cannot believe that Jesus has risen from the dead unless he sees the wound left on Christ’s side as well as the nail marks in his hands (John 20:25).  Jesus, understanding Saint Thomas’ learning style makes learning easy for Saint Thomas by appealing to his need to see things for himself.  In the next few verses, Jesus appears to Saint Thomas and makes learning easy by engaging his sense of sight in the learning process; Jesus shows Saint Thomas His hands and instructs him to place his hand into his side (John 20:27).  

Including technology in the classroom allows instruction to be easier and interesting for learners.  It is important to have innovative ways to teach students by allowing lessons to meet students’ individual needs.  My personal philosophy also ties in to how Jesus used parables to encourage wisdom and growth in the way He taught.  Technology plays a large role in how classrooms look today, however, having skilled teacher, like Jesus, is the most beneficial when needing to meet the needs of learners, and making learning easy and interesting.  

 

References

Hockenberry, L. (2023, December 19). How EdTech Tools Can Enhance Creativity in the Elementary Grades. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/edtech-tools-can-promote-creativity-elementary-school

 

Hughes, J. E., & Roblyer, M. D. (2022). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (9th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780137544622

 

Lebens, M. (2022). The Pandemic’s Impact on Underserved Students’ Technology Access and Course Progress. International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design., 12(2), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJOPCD.292015

 

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). The NIV Bible. https://www.thenivbible.com  (Original work published 1978).