Education On Fire - Sharing creative and inspiring learning in our schools GGGG Ep 4 - Navigating Technology in Education
This is the fourth instalment of the "Ger Graus Gets Gritty" series. Based on Chapter 4 of his book Through a Different Lens: Lessons from a Life in Education (published by Routledge), this episode tackles one of the most contentious topics in modern education: technology.
Rather than focusing on the technical aspects of digital tools, Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE reframes the conversation around technology as fundamentally a discussion about human behaviour, courage, and trust. From fountain pens to AI, he traces the historical pattern of moral panic that accompanies each technological advancement, arguing that our concerns reveal more about ourselves than about the technology itself.
The conversation challenges the current discourse around banning mobile phones in schools, advocates for student-centered approaches to technology integration, and explores how young people might actually serve as role models for adults when it comes to digital literacy. We discuss engaging students in creating their own codes of conduct and for recognising that technology's impact—positive or negative—ultimately comes down to how we choose to use it.
Key Quote
On the Mobile Phone Ban Debate:
"The fact that we are actually talking about banning mobile phones from schools is unbelievable. It is literally turning around to your children and to mine and saying, now, for whatever, six, seven, eight hours a day, we're going to pretend that they don't exist."
Key Takeaways
1. Technology Panic is a Historical Pattern, Not a New Phenomenon
Every technological advancement in education—from fountain pens to ballpoint pens, calculators to the Internet, and now AI—has been met with moral panic about "dumbing down" and declining standards. This reveals that our anxieties are less about the technology itself and more about our discomfort with change and our ability to adapt.
2. The Problem Isn't the Technology—It's Human Behavior
Technology is neutral; its impact depends entirely on how humans choose to use it. Rather than banning tools like mobile phones, we need to focus on developing appropriate behaviors, codes of conduct, and digital citizenship. The phone sitting on the desk isn't harmful—it's how we interact with it that matters.
3. Students Should Be Partners in Creating Technology Policies
Young people are conspicuously absent from public discussions about technology in schools, despite being the most affected stakeholders. Students are capable of creating sophisticated codes of conduct for technology use—often better than adults can create—and are more effective at self-policing when they've been part of the solution.
4. We're Failing at Technology's Greatest Promise: Equity and Democratization
The Internet represents humanity's greatest democratizing invention, yet we've failed dismally at addressing equity issues both within countries and globally. The gaps in technology access and digital literacy are growing rather than shrinking, which represents a massive missed opportunity for education and society.
5. Young People Are Our Role Models in Technology, Not the Other Way Around
The traditional model of role modeling—where older generations guide younger ones—is reversed when it comes to technology. Adults need to approach young people with respect and humility, learning from their digital fluency and working collaboratively to understand and navigate the technological landscape together.
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Chapters:
- 00:01 - Introduction to the Series
- 01:14 - The Impact of Technology on Education
- 11:19 - The Role of Technology in Education
- 15:02 - The Integration of AI in Education
- 19:15 - The Impact of Technology on Education
- 27:10 - The Role of Technology in Education
- 35:02 - The Role of Technology in Education
- 36:40 - Understanding the Role of Technology in Education
- 46:31 - The Role We Play in Technology
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