Theories of Critical Thinking

The innovation of technology has significantly increased over the types of adopters throughout the world. The growth of technology has had an effect on students, teachers, librarians, and parents. It has opened the door to many opportunities, and in some cases, changed the traditional role of text books and print literacy in the classroom. With technology, students are able to go beyond the materials available inside the boundaries of their school. They can use the web to access additional materials, communicate with outside sources, and create meaningful online projects. Teachers and librarians can use technology to enhance their lessons, access eBooks, and create online academic content. Parents can use technology to assist in their child’s learning, communicate with teachers, and monitor their child’s success. Technology is shaping schools as we know it today.

The level of students’ knowledge can be measured by Bloom’s Taxonomy. Students start from the ability to be able to retain knowledge and hopefully are taught to work towards the more complex ability to synthesis and evaluate. The use of technology can increase their level of knowledge by allowing them to go beyond the classroom. “While most teacher-made tests still test at the lower levels of the taxonomy, research has shown that students remember more when they have learned to handle the topic at the higher levels of the taxonomy (Garavalia, Hummel, Wiley & Huitt, 1999)” (Huitt, 2011). Teachers can use online applications to increase student’s ability to move towards higher levels of taxonomy. With this, students are able to go beyond what is taught in the classroom, and work towards deeper learning.

 “‘Deep learning’, in the way we will describe it, develops the learning, creating, and ‘doing’ dispositions that young people need to thrive now and in their futures” (Fullan & Langworthy, 2014). Teachers can use technology to support students in deep learning levels across the curriculum which allows the students to go beyond just the teacher and the textbook. With the ability to find anything at the touch of a button, students must learn the importance of digital/information literacy. “Easy access to so many information and entertainment choices now require that people acquire new knowledge and skills to make wise and responsible decisions” (Hobbs, 2011). Students have to learn to use technology in a safe and successful way. With the innovation of technology, teachers can provide students with the tools to become life-long learners. As a future librarian, I will be able to guide my co-workers and students in a technology rich environment.

 

References

 

Fullan, M., & Langworthy, M. (2014). “A rich seam: How new pedagogies find deep learning”. Pearson. https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/one-dot-com/one-dot-com/global/Files/about-pearson/innovation/open-ideas/ARichSeamEnglish.pdf

 

Hobbs, R. (2011) Empowering learners with digital and media literacy. “Knowledge Quest”, 39(5), 12-17.

 

Huitt, W. (2011). Bloom et al.'s taxonomy of the cognitive domain. “Educational Psychology Interactive”. Valdosta State University. http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/bloom/pdf

 

Kuhn, M.S. (2008). Connecting depth and balance in class. “Learning & Leading with Technology”, 36(1), 18-21.

 

Rogers, E.M. (1963). “The adoption process II.” Journal of Cooperative Extension, 1(2), 69-75.

https://archives.joe.org/joe/1963summer/1963-2-a2.pdf