Teaching in the Digital Age

I think the new culture of participation is creating opportunities for students to not only be consumers of media, but also creators. As technology becomes more accessible to younger audiences, students are able to take an active role in their learning rather than being passive listeners. They can create, collaborate, and share their own content with others.

In the past, students had to rely on newspapers or television to access information—but that has changed in a positive way. According to the 2022 report Teens, Social Media and Technology, 73% of students have access to a smartphone. This shows just how significantly technology has shaped the younger generation.

With this kind of access, students can express themselves on various platforms such as blogs, podcasts, and social media. As a result, schools are embracing this shift by integrating technology into students’ daily learning. One way we can rethink technology in the classroom is by encouraging students to participate in online projects that can be shared with a wider audience. Instead of limiting students to academic papers or tests, we can give them opportunities to create memes, TikToks, and visual presentations to demonstrate their learning in creative and meaningful ways.

It is important to be conscious of the challenges that come with technology, as it can easily distract students. Wesch notes that over 9,000 hours of video are uploaded every day. With that in mind, students can access anything online, including content that may not be school appropriate. This makes it essential for teachers to monitor students’ digital footprints. Additionally, assessing technology-based assignments can be more difficult due to the level of creativity involved. It’s important that teachers feel confident using technological tools and are prepared to offer ongoing support to their students.