Learning & Leading Through Technology

AS
I
SEE“
IT”

As I See “IT” is an
editorial opinion column
that appears in every
other issue of L&L. If
you are interested in
writing an As I See “IT”
column, please email
kconley@iste.org.
By Sean Junkins
The Amish are a unique Christian sect. Focused on church and family, they welcome a degree of separation from
the non-Amish world. They’re famous for their
simple lifestyle, plain dress, and eschewing of
the conveniences of modern technology.
And yet, as non-Amish school districts con-
tinue to invest time, money, and other resources
in educational technology, education leaders
can learn valuable lessons from Amish society.
While the Amish rely on a simple agrarian life-
style, the principles they follow are exactly what
school leaders need to help them integrate in-
structional technology effectively.

Needs, Not Wants

Many non-Amish believe that the Amish view technology as evil, but that’s not entirely true.

The Amish see modern technology as a mere vanity. They embrace technology if it is truly needed, not simply desired. In classrooms, technology can aid in the acquisition of vital skills.

But for technology to be used in a meaningful way, it must become seamlessly routine and practically transparent. If instruction focuses on the tool, then it simply becomes a distraction.

Technology has to support academic standards and learning objectives in order to deepen understanding and enhance learning. If we do not employ technology to drive instruction, then questions will arise about its value in the learning environment.

Community Is Necessary

Building a sense of community is not a random occurrence. It has to be created and nurtured intentionally. It begins with a vision and continues with a commitment to specified core values.

The Amish have a set of beliefs that bind them together as a society, and schools can adapt this model. For example, by establishing a core belief that technology can help drive academic instruction, schools can begin to establish a commitment that fosters and sustains that vision.

But, before we can use technology as a meaningful form of engagement in schools, teachers must have ample opportunities to build a learning community by collaboratively planning, sharing, and holding each other accountable to the fulfillment of their shared vision. It can’t be just words; it must involve action.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

By some estimates, there are more than 225,000 Amish living in 28 U.S. states. While their overarching ideology is the same, there are vast cultural differences between Amish sects. In effect, they personalize their communities.

In education, the personalization of learning is becoming ever more commonplace. Whether it is through a formal individualized educational plan (IEP) or another form of academic counseling, schools design an educational path that best meets the needs of each child and his or her unique style of learning.