Digital tools let students collaborate in new ways, question the world around them, connect their work with the world, create products that demonstrate their understanding, and wonder about new topics they encounter.
This is so true! I think of all the experiences that students are now able to be a part of without even leaving the classroom. When you teach students who have never left their community, this is a HUGE deal!
The digital tools many students have access to both inside and outside the classroom require us all to take a hard look at the way we use these tools in the context of learning experiences. It’s easy to get caught up with the shiniest, brightest, or most attention-grabbing digital device or website, but it is possible to pause, reflect, and prioritize tasks over digital tools in the classroom. Are we putting the learning first?
This is a valid point, but it also creates an issue of equitability for students too. The digital world comes with a price tag that often has to be footed by underfunded school districts in order to make sure that all students have access to the tools.