We are really thinking about a process of learning that includes all kinds of materials that students will discover on their own, that we as the designers of lessons haven't necessarily defined ahead of time. Students Learn to Ask their Own Questions To use educational technology effectively, teachers must create the vehicle that will encourage students to think about what they need to learn and to ask their own questions. This sounds like such an easy thing to change, but it is really very difficult. But these same teachers say that they and their students are held accountable for getting through the curriculum before May. They have to cover an incredibly broad pool of material, and that lends itself to facts and formulas and tests.
Technology lends itself to exploration.
But before we can use it effectively, we need to value exploration as real teaching and real learning. We need to recognize that if students are writing about what they are learning, if they are investigating and asking questions, if they are doing it in an authentic context, then clearly they are learning how to read and write and think. The biggest difference, the one that might scare us, is that when students explore there is no one right answer. Now, that does not mean that we all just run around doing what we want and end up who knows where. Activities must be carefully guided and structured, but having the technology available in a ubiquitous manner makes the difference.