What the Tech? - by Rachelle Dene Poth (Paperback)

About the Book

Help students navigate the world of emerging tech and cultivate a more engaged ? and empowered ? generation of learners who can drive positive change in the world.

Book Synopsis

Help students navigate the world of emerging tech and cultivate a more engaged - and empowered - generation of learners who can drive positive change in the world.

With artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), blockchain, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse and Web3 being used in the world of work and education, students need opportunities to learn about, explore and create with emerging technologies. At the same time, educators need the right resources to stay current with the changes, and be able to provide the guidance students need to develop the skills that are essential today - and are likely to be in demand for the jobs of the future.

Based on a course developed by the author, this book explores how to create impactful learning experiences so that students can apply their knowledge to real-world problems, collaborate with peers from around the world and develop critical thinking skills, while expanding their understanding of the world and their place in it.

The book:

• Includes examples and activities to help educators who might feel overwhelmed by new technologies embrace these topics and bring new learning opportunities into their classes.
• Features vignettes from educators who have implemented some of the tools and practices shared in the book, highlighting their challenges, risks taken, failures experienced and the overall impact on learning.
• Offers a model in course creation by breaking down the author's thought process in developing a course on emerging technology and her preparation for teaching it.

Educators who are unfamiliar with the technologies discussed in this guide will walk away with practical takeaways to help students understand best practices for using these tools in school and beyond.

Audience: Elementary and secondary educators and technology coaches

Review Quotes

"An introductory look at emerging technologies for K-12 educators. Poth examines topics including artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, NFTs in education, the Metaverse, Web 3.0, and cybersecurity, providing research-based insights and practical strategies for classroom integration. Each chapter includes sample lesson plans and sidebars to connect theory to practice. The "Educator Story" sections are a highlight, offering relatable and practical examples of how teachers have integrated these technologies into their classrooms. However, the "Student Story" -feature is limited to a single example focused on artificial intelligence. This narrow scope leaves readers without more student perspectives to fully understand the impact of these tools in the classroom. While this book provides a broad overview of emerging technologies, its lesson plans often feel surface-level, without the depth needed for educators seeking robust, actionable strategies. The lack of more detailed exploration of the tools themselves and their specific applications weakens the book's practical value. However, this book may serve as a useful starting point for educators new to these topics."

VERDICT: School librarians, technology specialists, and administrators interested in fostering digital literacy and exploring future-ready skills may find value in this book's insights, though they might need additional resources for deeper implementation.

-- Corey Hall, School Library Journal

About the Author

Rachelle Dene Poth is an accomplished edtech consultant, presenter, author, blogger and teacher. She currently teaches Spanish and a course on emerging tech that covers AR/VR, artificial intelligence, coding, gaming, digital citizenship, video animation and more. She presents regularly at conferences on technology and ways to drive student learning. Poth is an ISTE Certified Educator, a recipient of the ISTE Making It Happen Award and a Presidential Gold Award winner for volunteer service to education. She's a Buncee Ambassador, Edmodo Certified Trainer, Nearpod Certified Educator and PioNear, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Google Certified Educator Levels I and II. Poth is the author of several books, including Chart a New Course (ISTE, 2020).