Classroom Technology and Pedagogical Shifts

With the introduction of screen media and 1:1 devices in the classroom, educators are finding themselves in a unique position; navigating new technological platforms, changing their teaching methods and pedagogy to adapt, and oftentimes, competing for their students’ attention. Some important factors for classroom implementation and practice are the need for learner preference, differentiation, high quality applications, and a complementary balance between traditional methods of learning and the usage of screen media. Many teachers have observed the benefits of adopting new technology, but have concerns with its integration. Classrooms in the United States have undergone a significant change because of the use of screen media, including laptop computers (i.e. Chromebooks), and digital textbooks. While using technology in the classroom is undoubtedly not a novel concept, utilizing technology in place of traditional textbooks is relatively new. The motivation for this article was my personal experience and interest in technology for learning purposes. I have taught middle school students for 16 years, and throughout this time I have seen technology substitute traditional textbooks in various subject areas. Additionally, I have seen the effects of reading from a paper source and from screens, as well as the various strategies learners apply while using both to process the information. As a lifelong learner, I remain abreast of the most recent studies and advice on literacy for children, as well as technology use with adolescents. I incorporate best practices in my classroom. This article will provide ideas that have proven successful, not only in my classroom, but also in empirical research. Keywords: Screen media, differentiation, pedagogy, Chromebooks