Technology in a Christian School: One Tool of Many

 

“Technology is only very good if it can help us become the persons we were mean to be.” Andy Crouch

I remember the day a Commodore 64 was wheeled into my grade five classroom for the first time, the start of when computer tech was a new ingredient in my education. The teacher didn’t really know what to do with it and it didn’t really become much more than an indoor recess occupier of students for many years. As I watched another filing cabinet leave LCES for good last month, I though about how technology has changed the way we learn.

We know that all of God’s world belongs to him, and all of it can be used in faithfulness or disobedience. Technology doesn’t live outside that truth. Our task is sorting out the difference and being intentional about choosing wisely. It also seems true that technology is challenging us and our children and we don’t have a long history to guide as we wrestle with what a faithful response looks like. The pace of new developments is faster than our understanding of how it is shaping us in many cases. (eg. watch “The Social Dilemma”)

I heard an excellent podcast last week that proposed technology is a possible accelerator of good teaching and learning, but not the author of it. I like that idea. Technology of any kind will never replace the value of excellent teaching and leading by parent or teacher. The presence or absence of technology alone in a classroom or home doesn’t indicate students will learn any better, or becomes wiser as they grow up. The value of a skilled and committed teacher who can match learning methods well with student’s abilities, interests, and development is key here. LCES is very blessed with such exemplary educators.  I’ve often thought that when technology enables us to do something we couldn’t otherwise do, then we’re accessing more of its God-created potential for our benefit.

SJ