Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning (A Quick Guide to Educational Technology Integration and Digital Learning Spaces)

by Scott McLeod, Julie Graber

Reshape educational technology integration in classrooms to build truly transformative learning spaces. This concise, reader-friendly guide outlines a clear approach for properly and skillfully using digital learning tools to promote deeper, personalized learning across subjects and grade levels. The authors impart tips and strategies for avoiding common missteps, overcoming implementation challenges, and redesigning instruction that is both meaningful and engaging. This quick guide will help you integrate educational technology in the classroom and create digital learning Access book study questions for Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning at bit.ly/HTDLbookclub or through bit.ly/4shifts .
About the Authors
Foreword
Framing the Challenge
Chapter 1: Seeking a New Approach
Chapter 2: Introducing the 4 Shifts Protocol
Chapter 3: Redesigning Elementary School Lessons and Units
Chapter 4: Redesigning Secondary Lessons and Units
Chapter 5: Designing From Standards
Chapter 6: Implementing the Protocol -- Tips, Strategies, and Other Suggestions
Staying in Touch
References and Resources Books in the Solutions for Creating the Learning Spaces Students Deserve

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

80 pages, Perfect Paperback

Published September 21, 2018

Reviews

[Jessica Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book introduces the 4 Shifts Protocol for using technology to create authentic learning experiences for students. The book discusses how the protocol came to be, goes through each section of the protocol, and provides examples at both the elementary and secondary levels for how to use the protocol to redesign or design lessons or units of study. This book serves as a great introduction and jumping-off point for learning about the 4 Shifts Protocol but is by no means an all-inclusive resource. It does provide additional resources for continued learning.

The 4 Shifts Protocol is by far the most user-friendly system for evaluating and integrating technology into instruction and learning opportunities that I have come across. Each section has a series of questions that educators can use to either reflect on a current lesson or unit or use to drive their design of a new lesson or unit. Overall, I think it is a useful tool for creating learning opportunities that use technology in authentic ways.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Urging educators to think about their instructional purpose and their level of technology integration, McLeod and Graber put forth the 4-Shifts Protocol for technology integration. Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning provides a framework of overarching questions in 4 domains (deeper thinking and learning; authentic work; student agency and personalization; and technology infusion) to guide lessons/unit development to enable deeper learning.

The redesigned units didn't really feel "apples to apples" to me, with the new "lessons" much more complicated and time-consuming. I'm skeptical that the framework will actually help educators develop more in depth tech lessons/units, but I can appreciate the framework for guiding educators to reflect on their practices.

[Jennifer]

Probably 3.5 stars, maybe a full 4. I did pick up some good tips and ideas I can pass on to my pre-service teachers in the classes I’m teaching this fall.