Emphasizing Learning Inside Technology-Infused Classrooms

Holly Clark is the Director of Innovative Learning at Oakhill Academy and an author and education strategist from San Diego, California.

Innovation in the Classroom

As her job title suggests, Clark is interested in innovations, and particularly those that focus on student learning first and foremost. Clark’s first book, The Google Infused Classroom, co-authored with Tanya Avrith, examines the importance of technology-infused learning for students. As she proposes, “It’s not about the technology; it’s about the learning. My whole brand is infused learning because you need to think about pedagogy first. What are the outcomes that you would like in your classroom? It’s understanding by design but adding technology.”

Educators Need to Listen

As she detailed in her TED Talk in 2016, there is a great deal to learn by getting into the minds of what kids are thinking, but sadly, not enough progress is taking place. Students are still filling out multiple-choice questions, even when modern research suggests it’s not the right approach. 

According to Clark, it starts with the pedagogy, “If I could stand [and shout] from the rooftop and people would listen, I would say no more technology directors; no more technology coaches. This is about learning. Technology is just a tool like a pencil or a textbook for learning. It’s a more powerful tool than those, but that’s what I want to talk about. I want to talk about learning.”

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