All right, welcome everyone.
Ready for another deep dive?
Today we're going to exploring how technology
is changing the game in teaching and learning.
Ooh, the game, yeah.
Specifically, you, the listener, wanted to know more
about this idea of reflexivity.
Ah, yes.
So we're gonna be using this article.
It's from hackscience.education.
And it's called reflexivity in technology,
rich teaching and learning.
Catch you.
Yeah, right.
We're gonna use that as our guide today
to kind of uncover.
Excellent source.
Yeah, uncover how technology isn't just some tool, right?
It's not just a hammer or screwdriver.
Right, it's not just a thing you pick up.
It's really a force, like shaping the very way
we teach and learn.
It really is, it's such a good point.
And that's actually what reflexivity is all about.
The term might sound a bit dark and e, you know,
kind of academic.
A little bit.
But it's a pretty simple idea when you break it down.
Think about where it came from, like originally.
Yeah.
And then as scientists, they realized that
just by observing something, you know, like a situation,
they could actually change it.
Interesting.
So they're trying to study something,
but just being there observing influences it.
Kind of like a scientist out in the field, you know,
watching animals in their habitat.
Exactly.
The animals, they're not gonna act the same
if they know someone's watching, right?
Exactly.
They get all self-conscious.
They change their behavior.
It's like, oh, there's a camera on me.
Yeah, totally.
Like if we were suddenly told you were on a reality TV show.
Oh, absolutely.
You'd start acting differently, right?
More aware of every little thing you do.
100%.
Okay, so that's interesting.
But how does that idea of just observing something,
changing it, how does that apply to technology in education?
Well, it's like those scientists and the animals.
The technology, it isn't just sitting there passively.
It's actively shaping the environment,
the learning environment.
I see.
Think about all this, you know, the ICT,
the information and communication technology.
Right, right.
Computers, tablets, online learning platforms, all that.
Exactly.
And it's not just about having the tool, like I said,
it's about how that tool changes our thinking about learning.
Okay, so it's not just that we have computers now,
but it's that the computers are changing
how we think about learning itself.
You got it.
And the article gives a really good example
to illustrate this.
Think about research papers.
Oh, yeah.
Remember back in the day, you'd spend hours in the library,
you know, digging through those card catalogs.
Oh, yeah.
Painstakingly copying down sources and references by hand.
So boring.
It was a whole process.
But now we've got tools, software,
that can handle all that for us.
Oh, yeah, like citation managers and stuff.
Exactly.
But here's the thing, and this is where
the reflexivity kicks in,
because these tools exist,
teachers now expect more from students.
Right, they're like, well, you have the tools, so.
Exactly.
More comprehensive research, more sources,
faster turnaround times.
The technology itself has changed the expectations.
That's interesting.
So the technology doesn't just make things easier,
it actually raises the bar in a way.
Exactly.
In that research paper example,
it really gets at the core of what Figure 3
and the article is trying to show.
It's like a visual map of this whole reflexivity idea.
Okay, so what is Figure 3 show?
Okay, imagine this diagram listener.
You're in the center.
One arrow points from you to technology use
in the classroom, right?
And then another arrow goes right back
from that technology use to skills needed for success.
Okay, so it's like a loop, a cycle.
It's a constant back and forth.
As technology becomes more and more part of how we learn,
the skill students need to succeed.
They change too.
It's like a video game.
Oh, I like that.
As you level up, right?
The challenges get harder, more complex.
You need new skills to beat the next boss.
Exactly.
Well, think of performance expectancy,
the skills and knowledge you need in this digital hard,
like leveling up in real life.
And technology, it keeps raising that bar,
introducing new challenges.
That's a really good way to put it.
So, okay, listener, I bet you're wondering,
how are teachers supposed to keep up with all this change?
That's the million dollar question.
And that's exactly where the article really emphasizes
professional development.
It's absolutely crucial.
So, teachers need training, support,
to figure out how to use all this new tech
in their classrooms.
100%.
And it's not just about learning the buttons and menus.
It's about adapting your whole teaching approach
to really make the most of what technology can offer.
It's like technology is this powerful tool,
but you gotta know how to use it.
You can't just hand someone a fancy new saw
and expect them to build a house.
You gotta teach them the techniques, right?
How to use it effectively.
Exactly.
And that's what professional development for teachers
is all about in this context.
Okay, so we've been talking a lot about this.
I think it's pretty clear that technology
is like totally reshaping education.
Oh, yeah.
I mean, we've just scratched the surface here,
but it's obvious this whole dance
between tech and education, it's constantly changing.
You know, it's evolving.
It's a moving target, for sure.
It is.
So, here's a question for you, listener, to think about.
If technology is always changing,
how can we make sure education keeps pace?
Right, how do we keep up?
How do we prepare students for a future
where the skills they need might be totally different
from what we're teaching now?
It's a huge challenge.
It is.
And it's something we all need to think about, you know?
Educators, policy makers, parents, all of us.
It really takes a village.
We're all in this together,
figuring out how to navigate this new world.
We are.
Well, thanks for coming along with us
on this deep dive into the world of technology and education.
It's a fascinating, complex topic,
and we hope you keep exploring it.
Keep learning, keep questioning, and keep adapting.
Absolutely, that's what it's all about.
Thank you, CP18.