The Future of Education Technology Relies on Responsible Technology Use
In this episode of Just Thinking…, host Kevin Dougherty and Dr. Karla Burkholder argue that banning classroom technology isn't the answer and that educators should instead teach students to use it responsibly. They make the case for digital literacy as a fundamental skill alongside math and science, and for prioritizing problem-solving, discernment, and digital creativity as AI reshapes the workforce.
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Key takeaways
Digital tools are spreading in schools while screen-time concerns rise; the episode makes the case for teaching responsible use rather than banning technology.
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Education technology is currently at a critical standpoint. While schools are increasingly integrating digital tools into learning, there's also a growing awareness highlighting the amount of screen time students are exposed to with a possible solution of removing technology from classrooms. Per a 2022 study by JAMA Network, the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the time that school-aged children spent on screen time and it increases every year. But are bans and restrictions the answer, should there be a revamping on teaching students how to use technology responsibly and creatively?
These questions are tackled in this episode of Just Thinking… with Kevin Dougherty. Host Kevin Dougherty, Chief Strategy Officer at 806 Technologies, spoke with Dr. Karla Burkholder, deputy director of Texas Education Technology Leaders and a veteran in the education technology space. Together, they discussed the role of technology in modern learning, the pushback against classroom tech, and the need to equip students with critical digital literacy skills.
A few key points from the episode covered:
- How digital literacy is now a fundamental skill alongside math, science, and other subjects because students engage with technology a lot.
- A case for why banning technology isn't the solution and instead educators should focus on teaching students how to use it responsibly.
- As AI and automation reshape many industries and the general workforce, problem-solving, discernment, and digital creativity should be prioritized.
Dr. Karla Burkholder is the deputy director of Texas Education Technology Leaders. She has dedicated her career to advancing education through technology. Burkholder started as a business education teacher in Plano ISD in 1984 before moving into instructional technology leadership. She has witnessed the evolution of classroom tech having had many decades of experience, from floppy disks to cloud computing and AI. She has a lot of experience in digital transformation and instructional strategy.
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About the author
Kevin Dougherty is the Chief Marketing Officer of NeuraPoints, Inc. and the host of the Just Thinking... podcast. He has spent the past 40 years as an educator and serving educators. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, Kevin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Multicultural Education. He later earned a Master of Education Degree in Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts/Lowell. Kevin was a classroom teacher for ten years in the Dallas, Boston, and Houston areas. He then served as an assistant principal/principal of Title I/Bilingual campuses in Fort Bend ISD and Irving ISD. For the past 22 years, Kevin has been serving educators throughout Texas and the nation in various roles supporting sales/marketing, professional learning, and overall company strategy. He has been married to his wife, Michelle, for 33 years. They have two grown children who both live in the DFW area.
