When I first heard that my kids were going back to school in person I thought it would be great to abandon the computers and just be in community– I still think this is very important– but my thinking shifted when I assumed my son Zack was so ready to be done with the computer. He surprised me and said, “no actually, I like knowing what my assignments are and what I am supposed to do upfront. I like being able to choose when I do things and I know when I have completed my work.”

The use of technology and the virtual environment forced a new model where what was expected was clear and allowed each student to navigate their path at a different pace or path, rather than the whole group doing the same thing at the same time. The use of technology created more opportunities for him to develop agency and learn a variety of new skills and habits. He also loves to see his friends and be in the classroom doing work together, getting support from his teacher, making things, and running around on the playground.

It will be tempting to return back to “normal” next year but consider what the benefits have been, talk to students and families, connect with other educators. I encourage you to reflect on what worked, what was challenging and what is possible in education. Instead of making blanket statements like one principal who sent an email to families ensuring that no technology would be used when they were back with their teachers and classmates in person, here are some questions (and few ideas) to consider as you reflect on this year and design for the most effective learning. 

What are the most important things for students to learn?

What are the knowledge, skills, and habits that are most important for them to learn in your class or grade? Consider how you might prioritize these things like

• Priority standards 
• Student selected goals
• Key Skills
• Healthy and productive habits or dispositions

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What learning experiences might best serve your learners? 

Based on your prioritized goals, think about the best way for students to learn the skills, habits, and content that you deemed important. Some ideas include:

• Inquiry Projects 
• Personalized pathways or playlists
• Small groups or station rotation
• Direct instruction: videos or in person
• Internships

What other resources are available for students to learn?

Too often teachers carry the burden of finding all the resources, structuring the learning, and delivering the content. How might you leverage other people or resources like:

• Peers
• Experts (online or in your network)
• Curated content: podcasts, articles, websites, videos
• Books, games, experiments, exploration
• Internships or industry leaders
• Community Partners

What is the role of the teacher? 

The connection, community, and relationships are more important than ever. As you leverage technology to meet the needs of learners and help students get what they need, consider how to best leverage the time and role of the teacher. How might you prioritize time to:

• Build community
• Connect with learners
• Set clear expectations
• (Co) Design learning experiences
• Provide feedback 
• Seek feedback and adjust accordingly

How will you meet learners where they are and assess learning, document progress, and celebrate growth?

We know learners have always been in different places and this year has exacerbated that. Consider how assessment practices can accelerate learning and help learners understand where they are in relation to the goals and their next steps to get there. Which of these practices might you try out?

• Peer feedback
• Self assessment
• 1:1 or small group conferences
• Performance assessments
• Portfolio
• Defense of learning

What do you see as the role of technology?

Technology should not and cannot replace a teacher who knows their students, builds relationships, pushes them to the next level, and creates a community where students feel like they belong.  Technology can help learners take ownership of their journey and drive their own learning in and beyond the classroom walls. How might you use technology to:

• Connect
• Personalize
• Access content
• Learn and practice
• Create content
• Document and share

What are the most effective ways for you to share, learn and grow as an educator?

Learning new things and shifting practices can be hard but when we work together and look to our learners, we will continue to evolve in our practices. Consider how you can learn to evolve in your practices with colleagues and try some of these ideas:

• Collaborate on a lesson
• Share resources or challenges
• Observe one another
• Engage in a book studies
• Start a community of practice
• Connect with educators beyond your school

For too long I have felt the tension of two perspectives in education 1. Constructivist teaching practices and hands-on learning and 2. Innovation as technology. I believe that learner-centered practices leverage the best of our teaching practices that focus on learners and engage them in meaningful experiences. We can also leverage technology to create more relevant and personalized opportunities anytime, anywhere. If we take the best of both, we can braid together effective use of technology and learner-centered pedagogy to create the future of education and learning.