Lumiar believes in the transformative and constructive power of technology in education and in the understanding of the knowledge that comes to children’s education inserted in a totally digital context, since they are presented to innovations from an early age.
New tools and solutions may facilitate the learning process, but the main contribution of technology in the school environment has much to do with the way of thinking that innovation has brought with it, such as the maker culture.
Technology and the internet have democratized knowledge and action. Knowledge by making available a sea of knowledge. Action by allowing anyone to produce content. This, coupled with technological advances, has allowed teachers to bring more qualified, assertive, democratic and, no matter how contradictory it seems, human approaches.
Technology in education: how we use it effectively
Technology is a powerful ally and is part of one of the pillars of Lumiar education. So much so that it dictates the instrumental axis, one of the five axes of development that construct the whole methodology of the school. In this axis, there are three competences: research (data extraction), digital technology (competence in understanding, using and developing computer tools, with programming in particular), and media (associated to use and communication through electronic and virtual tools, mainly associated with the internet).
We understand that the child of today was born inserted in a totally technological context. Applications. Information Tsunami. Dozens of new gadgets. We live in a time when everything has changed – especially as we consume content. We know that digital communication comes almost from the cradle and we need to instruct, teach and give autonomy so that students can make the best possible use of so many platforms and tools.
Among the competencies addressed in elementary education are robotics and programming. In addition to helping cognitively, exploring these areas allows children to evolve with the context in which they live.
It is worth remembering that the entire Lumiar Model was born innovative and disruptive. Our methodology has been built 17 years ago: the idea is to bring practices that consider all types of tools that the XXI century brought with it. In 2007, the school was selected to participate in the Innovative Schools program, promoted by Microsoft. There, Lumiar came to be considered some 12 most innovative schools in the world.
Moreover, one of the greatest proponents of technology in education is Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. He believes that advances play a vital role in democratizing education and assisting traditional education. “Students and teachers have access to more accessible and powerful learning tools. Educators are looking for each other and sharing ideas in digital communities. And there are promising developments in neuroscience, cognitive psychology and behavioral economics, “says Gates in his blog.
Therefore, we understand that addressing technology in its different facets (hardware, communication, discussion about impacts and etc.) is essential in a school aligned with its time. At Lumiar, teachers and students use technology as a great ally of participatory, appropriate and preparatory management for a future that is knocking at our door.