21st Century Learning and Teaching

The fact that many adults would dispute this statement illustrates how few understand the extent to which the world has changed in our kids' lifetimes, and the role technology now plays. Let me clarify: Technology isn't about new "stuff." It's not about laptops, iPads, cell phones, or the software kids use. It's not about different ways to do what we do now. And it's certainly not about what we should or shouldn't allow kids access to. All those ways of seeing technology are misleading.

Technology, rather, is an extension of our brains; it's a new way of thinking. It's the solution we humans have created to deal with our difficult new context of variability, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. The human mind, as powerful as it is, is no longer powerful enough for our world; the old "tried and true" human capabilities just aren't enough. Technology provides us with the new and enhanced capabilities we need. So technology isn't something we need in addition to mental activity; technology is now part of mental activity. And we need to use it wisely.