Now more than ever, computers and technology used in schools is a topic of significant concern for students, caregivers, and educators alike. If you have never set foot in a Montessori school, you may be wondering how it compares to a mainstream school, especially in terms of digital technology use. With 20,000 Montessori schools operating independently worldwide (5,000 in the U.S. alone), it is hard to generalize these schools’ digital technology practices.
Most
You might be wondering why any school in the 21st-century would want to opt for less digital technology instead of more. You may also have questions about the origins of
How Do Montessori Schools Incorporate Technology?
Many, if not most
Purposeful Technology Use in the Montessori Classroom
Purposeful, meaningful technology use sounds great, but how do you determine whether a student is using technology in a meaningful way? In
When should digital technology not be used for student learning? According to
The analogies and examples above are fairly obvious, but what about the not-so obvious digital tools, such as so-called educational websites and ebooks? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the best ways for students to learn from digital sources is for an adult caregiver to watch with them and provide feedback. In other words, even the best websites and Montessori aligned apps cannot do the actual work of teaching. Since
Students will probably never need to use digital flashcards in the real world, but they will need to learn to use programs like Google Slides. In
Digital Technology and “Practical Life” Exercises
Practical Life exercises are an essential component of
- Tying shoelaces,
- Washing dishes
- Raking leaves.
Older students might learn sewing, woodworking, and caring for animals.
Dr.
Digital Technology and Student Choice
If you were to walk into a Montessori classroom, you would probably see students working alone or in small groups on a variety of hands-on tasks. In a class of 25-30 students, only a few would be using digital technology at any given time. This is because both hands-on learning and student choice are key components of
Student choice is an essential component of
How might student choice look in the context of digital technology in a Montessori classroom? It might look like giving students a choice of digital formats to use when working on an independent research topic, choosing the best app for plant identification, or using a mapping app to create an aerial view of a city. The possibilities for responsible student use and decision-making are many and varied.
Digital Technology in the Classroom Environment
When you enter a
Montessori students are taught early on that they, not their teacher alone, are responsible for taking care of their classroom. Any digital technology in the classroom that is intended for student use (not teacher recordkeeping) is treated with the same attention as any other learning material. It also means that any computer-based activities are purposefully approved of and their use closely monitored by the teacher.
Does Montessori Use Technology
Over the years, many early childhood caregivers have expressed concern about the effects of screen time on child development. These conversations take place among
Generally speaking, as long as children are able to receive meaningful feedback, from both a digital activity and their caregiver, they will continue to grow as learners.
Montessori and Distance Learning
Of course, the COVID-19 virus changed the way we all live and the way we educate our children;
However, Dr. Maria Montessori believed that education should be preparation for life. Although the world has changed drastically in the past few months and years, all educators and caregivers are called upon to prepare students as best they can. In these times, “Practical Life” exercises might include making a homemade mask or doing chores. Either way, learning opportunities surround us, and we are all receiving a one-of-a-kind education.
Sources
Amanda Rosenburg, “What Connected Technology and Maria Montessori Have in Common,” 2015.
Aubrey Hargis & David Hargis, “Montessori Education in the Digital Age,” 2019.
nruiz, “Montessori Childcare: The Importance of a Prepared Environment,” 2018
Tealie Kugerud, “Benefits of Choice in a Montessori Classroom on Student Behavior and Focus,” 2016
American Montessori Society, “History of Montessori,” 2020
Heidi Philipart, “An Introduction To Practical Life,” 2020.
Montessori Services, “The Art of Observation,” 2020.
American Academy of Pediatrics, “Media and Children, Communication Toolkit,” n.d.
Ann Pilzner, “A True Balancing Act: Technology and the Montessori Classroom,” n.d.
National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector, 2020