（Book）: TEACHERS VS TECH? The Case for an Ed Tech Revolution
（Author）: Daisy Christodoulou
（Publisher）: Oxford University Press
（First published）:05-03-2020
Daisy Christodoulou is the Director of Education at No More Marking, a provider of online Comparative Judgement software for schools. She is also the author of three books about education: Teachers vs Tech, Making Good Progress, and Seven Myths about Education.
I had obtained this book early in the previous school year from the school Professional Development Book Club in the Learning Resource Centre (by the way, thanks to our school and Mr Kevin Li, SUIS Qingpu Teacher Development Centre, for arranging these resources to further develop our professionalism and expertise). Back at that time, I had just finished research together with my grade five students on the topic of ‘How AI Shapes the Future’. We had engaging discussions about the pros and cons of this relatively new technology. For a while, I felt lost and unsure of what attitude I should have towards tech as a teacher, parent and learner. Once I began to read this book, things started looking up. Moreover, I was able to gain insights on the following three perspectives.
1.Inspiration for teachers
Christodoulou addresses a common misconception in education: the belief that students have distinct learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) and that teaching should be tailored to these styles. She points out that the evidence supporting this theory is weak and that it often distracts from more effective teaching methods. Instead of fixating on individual learning styles, Christodoulou suggests focusing on the nature of the content and the most effective way to teach it. Thus, there is no need for teachers to come up with activities for each learning styles, but for each content. For example, in mathematics, conceptual understanding and procedural fluency in math often benefit from direct instruction and practice. Technology can aid in providing immediate feedback through adaptive learning programs. In history lessons, learning involves understanding narratives and analyzing sources. Multimedia resources such as documentaries, virtual tours of historical sites, and primary source databases can make historical learning more engaging and comprehensive. In science, concepts and experiments can be effectively taught using simulations and interactive labs that allow students to visualize and manipulate variables. Literature studies benefit from a combination of individual reading, discussion, and analysis. Digital tools can provide access to vast libraries and enable collaborative annotations and discussions.
2.Inspiration for parents
Guiding Responsible Use: Christodoulou highlights that while educational technology can be immensely beneficial, it also requires responsible use. Parents play a key role in teaching children how to use these tools safely and ethically. This includes understanding data privacy, recognizing and avoiding cyberbullying, and maintaining a balance between screen time and other activities. For their better physical and psychological health, we should all aim to do that!
Supporting Learning Goals: Christodoulou emphasizes that educational technology should be used to support learning goals, not replace traditional education methods. Parents should guide their children in using technology as a supplement to their studies. This could involve helping them find trustworthy educational resources, using apps that reinforce what they are learning in school, and encouraging them to explore subjects of interest in-depth.
3.Inspiration for learners
Understanding Digital Tools: This book highlights the importance of students becoming proficient in the use of a variety of digital tools, from basic word processing and presentation software to more advanced applications. This foundational knowledge is crucial as many academic tasks and professional responsibilities require the use of such tools. Therefore, as a learner of 21st century, this understanding is a must.
Navigating Information: Christodoulou stresses the importance of being able to efficiently search for, evaluate, and synthesize information found online. Developing digital literacy means that students can discern credible sources from unreliable ones, a skill that is integral to academic research and informed decision-making.
Exposure to Coding: The book advocates for introducing students to coding from an early age. Coding is not just about writing lines of code; it teaches logical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Platforms like Scratch, Code.org, and more advanced languages like Python and JavaScript enable students to create their own games, apps, and websites.
This is a great book for teachers, parents and learners to read if you are interested in this topic.
