One more article pointing to one more book explaining that technology alone has not and will not transform education. In this Learner’s Mindset Discussion we look at this latest warning article from Justin Reich Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education (create a free account to view the full article) and offer some suggestions on how we can use the Learner’s Mindset to help develop more self-directed learners or autodidact.
Reich’s book with the same title Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education is a much more detailed handing of this issue. Larry Cuban has been exploring or exposing the myth that educational technology can transform the education system for decades so it is assuring to note the ideas we explored in our Learner’s Mindset Discussion are confirmed by the likes of this educational historian in his review of Riech’s argument. Cuban’s book Oversold and Underused: Computers in the Classroom offers an earlier version of the same argument and some of Cuban’s warnings on the empty promises of technology go back to the 70’s and 80’s so this is not a new idea.
How to Develop More Autodidacts
Throughout the discussion, my colleague and I talked about some of the things we need to do to help learners become self-directed and independent learners or autodidacts. I have spent the last three decades exploring and researching this question so you will find that my site is filled with posts on learning how to learn. To save you some time on searching my site consider the following posts as a starting point:
Change in Focus
Connecting dots vs collecting dots
CSLE+COVA
In pursuit of the better way – the learners mindset
DIY Mindset Requires a Learner’s Mindset
How to Grow a Growth Mindset
So much information in these discussion forums and a lot to unpack. Covid was something that certainly illuminated how ‘fixed’ we truly had been in traditional formats of educational delivery systems and how many people struggled trying to ‘fit’ the concepts of in-person delivery methods into the technology made available when in person was not a possibility. I very much resonated with the curse of the familiar portion of the 4 dilemmas you discussed as I worked to navigate how to use the technology in the creation of a significant learning environment – it felt uncomfortable so many times and felt constrained and trying to cling to any sense of familiarity. I think this is typical behavior. I appreciated recognizing how systems in place do in fact work, but I equally recognize the trap of groupthink and the dangers of that old adage, if ain’t broke…don’t fix it. Here’s the problem with that it is not learner focused and to be a true model of practice for my Early Childhood Education students I had to get into a learner’s mindset about the technology…I had to try and fail, practice and reflect, find new pathways, and learn alongside my students. The thing about systems is that sense of comfort – in knowing what to expect and that’s not ALL bad…but it is important not to romanticize trying to change the system but rather to make adaptations and not be afraid of when things don’t work out how you thought they might – I loved the reference to the power of change at a grassroots level…this is totally my mantra. The CSLE + COVA is a great equation that all relates to that power of the learner’s mindset – that concept of why and not yet…gets my mind buzzing!
Many of my colleagues and I have been advocating and implementing this constructivist approach since the early 90’s and it took something like Covid most people to see just how limited our system of education is. I am hoping that now more peoples eyes have been open to the limitations of the ” if ain’t broke…don’t fix it” state we are improvements to our systems may finally proceed.
I agree with this discussion in the sense that we can’t just throw technology into a classroom and expect a change, we have to train ourselves to look at what the classroom is meant to do in a different way. As the teacher we then make those changes so instead of rattling off information we are providing an environment for students to become creative and independent learners.
That is the challenge…looking at what we may need to do in a different way.