Laurene Johnson
Educational Technology Consultant

Last updated January 10, 2008

"Technology does not necessarily improve education. Take a simple innovation like the pencil: One can use it to write a superlative essay, to drum away the time, or to poke out someone's eye." (Veenema & Gardner, 1996)

I believe...

• professional development should result in changes in instructional practice.
• professional development should be active, hands-on, and relevant—just like the classroom.
• instructional technology should be utilized when it improves learning.
• scissors and tape are sometimes the most appropriate technological tools.

Shirley Veenema and Howard Gardner, "Multimedia and Multiple Intelligences," The American Prospect, vol. 7,
no. 29, November 1, 1996 - December 1, 1996.