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Personal Philosophy: Incorporation of Technology into Education
Summary of Technology’s Purpose in Education:
Education has many roles in child development. In his book, Technology in Education,
Nickerson (1988) succinctly summarizes the main goals of educators: “Education… serves
many purposes. Among the more prominent of these purposes are preparation for work,
preparation for citizenship, and enablement of intellectual growth and independence” (p. 286).
Educators have a responsibility to do what they can to help students achieve the most they can.
Student development is a means of helping them realize the untapped potential each student
harbors. We have a professional obligation to research and implement the best educational
strategies and tools available to accomplish that goal. Technology is one of the most powerful
tools educators can use to enhance learning and prepare students for life as contributing
members of their communities. Although there is no definitive requirement to use technology in
education, not doing so would almost certainly be denying students access to higher-quality
education and reduce the learning possible in a classroom.
The impact of effective technology in classrooms has been well-documented. Tamim et
al. (2011) analyzed 25 studies across 40 years of research to find that “the average student in a
classroom where technology is used will perform 12 percentile points higher than the average
student in the traditional setting that does not use technology to enhance the learning process.”
Educators with a wider range of tools can make better choices regarding many aspects of the
learning experience. Technology expands what is possible in the classroom. Traditional
methods do not have to be completely discarded, but disregarding the compelling advantages of
technology only hurts students. Technology is a reflection of the advancement of our society,
and it is our responsibility as educators to use everything to our advantage to cultivate student
minds and prepare them for our ever-changing world.
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Biblical Defense of Including Technology in Curriculum:
We have biblical responsibilities as supported by Scripture to make use of technology to
build a better classroom. Through Scripture, we can see that: God’s works are good, we have a
duty to be the best educators we can be, and our efforts to support our students are recognized
by the Lord.
As it says in Psalms 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001).
God’s creations are wonderful, and we can choose to recognize the goodness in his works. As
educators and extensions of His goodwill, we have a responsibility to use all He has given us to
accomplish our duties in nurturing students and advancing our profession for future educators.
Many educators have reticence about technology, but its potential, their “soul knows it very
well.” We can work to make technology more accessible to others, so they can feel empowered
to include new learning methods not previously possible in a traditional setting.
Professional educators have a responsibility to improve their skills and advance their
instructional methods. Educators need to maintain the relevance of their teaching by being
cognizant of developments in education and applying them to their own practice. “Do you see a
man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men”
(English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Proverbs 22:29). As leaders in education, we can not
rest on our past knowledge. To remain skillful, we must progress as the world will do, with or
without our participation. We have a biblical responsibility to continue to grow and by extension
incorporate new learning tools. Technology, for educators, holds the greatest potential in
augmenting our teaching practice for the better.
As God’s people, we are asked to support one another. “God is not unjust; he will not
forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue
to help them” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Hebrews 6:10). The call to use technology
is important, but it would be remiss to deny the effort required to find new methods and tools,
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evaluate their potential, and incorporate them effectively into existing curriculum. It can be
tempting to remain using pre-established methods, especially with the risk of what can feel like
a wasted effort if the technology does not prove fruitful on first attempt. We take on these
challenges, not because it is easy, but because it is what we owe our students. God will “not
forget your work and the love you have shown him.” He will reward us in His own ways if we
embrace progress for the sake of supporting our students.
Personal Approach to Technology in Curriculum:
Technology in its essence is the advancement of what is possible. Classrooms are no
exception. As a professional it is our responsibility to help students reach their full potential, and
as a follower of Jesus we have a duty to give our best effort to support those who depend on us.
We have the opportunity to use new tools and new methods to better our instruction through the
continuous progression of technology. We can not disregard technology as it can make our
work more efficient, more relevant, and more conducive to good learning. I, like many
educators, am in the steady cycle of learning new technology, applying it to my curriculum, and
evaluating it against traditional or previous methods. I do not believe the world or God expects
us to overhaul our classrooms overnight, but the continued effort is what keeps our teaching
current and applicable to the world at large. I want to do better for my students, and I believe
using technology can make a meaningful difference in their success. Technology is not the only
means of improving our instruction, but it is a powerful tool I hope to incorporate more and
more. As technology advances, I hope to follow suit.
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References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
Nickerson, R. S. (1988). Technology in education. Routledge.
Tamim, R. M., Bernard, R. M., Borokhovski, E., Abrami, P. C., & Schmid, R. F. (2011). What
Forty Years of Research Says About the Impact of Technology on Learning: A
Second-Order Meta-Analysis and Validation Study. Review of Educational Research,
81(1), 4-28. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654310393361
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