By Leslie A. Wilson

“The most profound technologies are those that disappear, that weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable in it,” said Mark Weiser, 1991, in “The Computer for the 21^st Century” in Scientific American. Today’s learners, tomorrow’s job candidates, will be assessed on knowledge and skills needed in an information-driven market. A focus on the development of high quality ‘information-age adept’ works is crucial to the country’s future. This helps us realize why ‘meaningful’ versus ‘low level’ technology application in the classroom is important.

Students exiting high school and higher education need to demonstrate proficiencies not only in technology tool usage but in relevant applications. That relevancy will come about only when teachers have seamlessly woven appropriate tools with curriculum and instruction. High quality, ongoing, scheduled professional learning in this focused area is essential.

Postman (1996) said that technology should be used as an object of inquiry. It is important to understand how we might use technology and also how we are used by technology. We need to embrace technologies that are specifically useful because the design qualities call on higher order thinking and problem solving….where students have reason to explore and to learn by discovery. Technology that calls upon students’ investigative, research and exploration can be well guided by the teachers. In the same sense, technology can be used to solve many difficult tasks such as data analysis, synthesis and program development.

Educators are fortunate to be honing their practice during the information age. It is a time of opportunity to facilitate remarkable student access to discovery and knowledge exchange, communication, self-directed learning and instructing. We recognize those as the ever-present and discussed ‘21^st century skills’.

Applied to real-life contribution, these 21^st century talents are key to the future of individual’s success and to our country’s competitive edge. There are ever emerging technologies that empower classrooms to be learner-centered and controlled, self-paced and directed, any time, and anywhere. These technologies provide the chance for ongoing assessments, interactions and teacher feedback to individual learners. These authentic learning environments are the foundation of education transformation.