Impact of technology on learning, and how do we choose?

What is the impact of technology on learning? In the class session about this topic we talked about the impacts of technology and choosing appropriate technology for the task.

I think technology impacts learning greatly. As we discussed higher order thinking skills (HOTS), I could see the importance of integrating technology in my pedagogy.  Technology allows us to transform assignments in a way we never could before. Students have the opportunity to create original works as a way to express themselves. They can collaborate with others and learn those vital social skills while they help others. Technology allows us to research more quickly allowing us to evaluate what we are learning. One important aspect of technology is it allows us to develop critical thinking skills and make informed decisions on whatever we are doing. Technology teaches us social norms, it helps us demonstrate and prepare ourselves for "lifelong learning". As we develop skills and a foundation in the use of technology, we can use that knowledge and transfer it to other technologies.

As teachers, we need to be careful and what technology we use in class and how we use it. Integrating technology in class for the sake of using it, is not the best way to learn. Careful lesson planning can ensure that we are not just substituting the technology in our teaching, but transforming the content where students can develop higher order thinking skills.