EmpowerED by Technology

EmpowerED by Technology
Table of Contents:
What is Empowerment in Education

What is technology's role?

Student perspective

What is Empowerment in Education

Empowerment in education, a powerful sentiment. Through my district's EmpowerED

initiative we have been encouraged to explore technology within the classroom, however that

may look, and given opportunities to study and improve our practice. Empowerment is an

essential skill for teachers to harness. When a learner feels a sense of empowerment, the

learning is the most profound (Wang, 2006). Learning happens at a more rapid pace, the

neurons making a faster connection when the environment is offering rich stimuli. (Wang, 2006).

This does require, however, that the perspective shift from teacher directed learning to a shared

responsibility for the learning. According to Wang, to achieve empowerment through technology,

there need to be three critical things in place: autonomy, equality and skill building (2006).

Autonomy places the responsibility on the students. Students are more likely to be

motivated if they to find a topic interesting. This type of teaching honors student “ownership in

the learning process” (Wang, 2006, p 317). Equality encourages “ equal participation of all

students and values multiple perspectives and thoughts” (Wang, 2006, p 317). Students are

more likely to understand concepts at a higher level when they participate in dialogue such as

discussions, debates, and elaboration (Wang, 2006). Finally, skill building helps students to gain
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confidence and competence as they move through the learning process. According to Wang, an

“empowered person should be able to act on the world and improve it” (2006 p 318). When we

empower students when we give them this opportunity.

What is technology's role?

Technology opens up the playing field for teachers to provide an empowered

environment with autonomy, equality and skill development. A technology-centered classroom

can provide for a more student-centered classroom, therefore increasing independence. As

students progress through the learning process, they find new and creative ways to present

their findings, providing skill development. Additionally through the technology students can

digitally collaborate, even while not in the classroom, helping to develop equality. Technology is

“by no means a neutral tool, ready to serve us,” it requires teachers to put thought into the

instructional design to best provide the most authentic learning experiences for students (Wang,

2006, p 319). Technology, however, can provide a safe space for students to take risks and

acquire the skills needed to dig deep into the learning task.

Student perspective

Many different tools can be used to empower learning from a student perspective in the

classroom, one that I have seen used with great success is the application SeeSaw. Seesaw

markets itself as a student-driven parent portfolio where the student can freely share with their

family or teacher the skills and progress they are making (Ryan, 2018). Students feel more

empowered in their learning, and families more easily understand what is happening in the

classroom and the progress their child is making (Ryan, 2018). While, like any application, it
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isn’t perfect, it does put the student in the driver seat of choosing what to share and when,

demonstrating the three main steps to providing and empowered learning environment:

autonomy, skill development, and equality.

References:

Wang, Y. (2006). Technology projects as a vehicle to empower students. ​Educational Media

International,​ ​43​(4), 315-330.

Ryan, A. (2018). What Happens When the Seesaw App is Used in a Kindergarten

Classroom? ​Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning.​ 1.