By Lila Armstrong
How can we ensure that all students have quality digital learning opportunities?
Abstract
Over the past ten years, much has been written about student use of technology in schools. From TPACK to digital wellness, by ISTE and school districts, there is clear messaging around the need for technology integration in all subject areas. However, there are gaps in student learning, teacher delivery methods, and healthy, ethical habits in students. How can we shrink the knowledge gap between district information and educational technology leaders, teacher-librarians, and classroom teachers so that all students are leaving high school with the array of digital skills and decision-making habits to support their post-secondary destinations? In this paper Lila explores numerous approaches to teacher professional learning regarding technology in learning, identifies gaps and challenges teacher-librarians to take a lead in addressing the problems and inconsistencies she discovers in her research.
Lila Armstrong is a former French Immersion elementary teacher librarian, who has recently moved into a high school TL position. Lila works in SD71, Comox Valley Schools, on Vancouver Island, B.C. Her professional interests include professional development structures and optimizing educational technology. Supporting literacy everyday is her passion. She has a hobby farm on which she and her family grow asparagus, raise animals, and she is an amateur beekeeper – currently running 7 hives.