As an educator, you already know how essential reading is.
The addition of new books and publications in any niche is never-ending, but they too get outdated like technology. Speaking of edtech, it isn’t easy to find a book covering all aspects of education technology. No ‘one book’ will give you insights on the use of social media, tools that you can use, how to start using technology in the classroom, understand different perspectives on the use of technology, results, effects, and all other concerns of starting with technology in the classroom.
However, this list of 10 books include detailed insights and knowledge to help you kickstart and determine the right path for using EdTech for your students or school.
The Really Useful #EdTechBook by David Hopkins
This book is about the experiences, reflections, hopes, passions, expectations, and professionalism of those working with, in, and for the use of technology in education. Not only is it an insight into how, or why, educators work with these technologies, it’s more about how educators as learning professionals got to where they are and how they go forward with their development.
In this book, respected individuals from different education sectors write about many aspects of learning technology and come together to share their experiences.
21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn by James Bellanca and Ron Brandt
It is easier for students to get used to technology or learn new technologies quickly compared to educators. It seems like they are born with digital DNA. This book is a perfect fit for educators who struggle to adapt to technology’s fast-changing nature or face problems in incorporating technology into their classrooms. The book covers how educators can change and adapt with technology to continue to connect with students. It is one of a series. You can pick up the other books to fully understand how understanding current technology will give you the necessary tools to connect with students.
A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination of a World of Constant Change by Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown
This book looks at how constant change helps to keep students inspired in the potential of the future. The authors look at how the culture associated with technology has become fluid and adaptable. It is also an incredible challenge for educators. It contains numerous stories and exciting tales about those challenges and how technology even provides many answers to the problems it creates.
“A provocative and fundamental new paradigm of a ‘culture of learning’, appropriate for a world characterized by continual change. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of education.” James J. Duderstadt, President Emeritus, University of Michigan
Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson
Social media platforms are the go-to communication tool for most students today. This book will help you use technology for everyday classroom needs. There are plenty of suggestions about making the most of these unique aspects of technology with different tricks and tips.
“This book is loaded with insightful and honest advice about Web 2.0 in education. Will Richardson has amassed decades of technology integration experience as a teacher, consultant, blogger, and educational leader. There are few like him and a few books like this.” — Curtis J. Bonk, Professor, Indiana University
The Race between Education and Technology by Claudia Goldin, and Lawrence F. Katz
While we believe that technology in education is instead a new concept, this book explores how it has always been a part of education; maybe in the background but a crucial part of it; just not on the same scale as today.
“If you want to understand the causes of the innovation deficit, I’d recommend adding one serious book to your summer reading list: The Race Between Education and Technology.”- David Leonhardt, New York Times.
InventTo Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom by Sylvia Libow Martinez
This book focuses on the power of learning by doing. Focusing on the concept of Maker Movement, the book will help you get insights on using technology to make, repair, or customize the things we need brings engineering, design, and computer science to the masses.
“Educators will be hard-pressed to find a more essential, important book for making sense of not just the exciting, game-changing “maker” technologies that are currently exploding around us, but of the compelling learning opportunities; they present for our students as well. Invent To Learn creates a required new context for modern learning. It offers an accessible roadmap for re-imagining schools, classrooms, and personal practice. It’s a must-read for those wanting to remain relevant in their student’s learning lives.” – WillRichardson, Author of Why School?
Out of Our Minds: Learning To Be Creative by Sir Ken Robinson
Ken Robinson argues that organizations everywhere are trying to fix a problem that originates in schools and universities: “It is often said that education and training are the keys to the future. They are, but a key can be turned in two directions. Turn it one way, and you lock resources away, even from those they belong to. Turn it the other way, and you release resources and give people back to themselves. To realize our true creative potential in our organizations, we need to think differently about ourselves and act differently in our schools and our communities. We must learn to be creative.”- Ken Robinson.
His argument against the way we have been teaching with false promises of a better future without equipping the youth to build that “better future” is all this book is about. There are plenty of case studies where he proves where we’re going wrong.
The updated 3rd edition of this book features a new introduction, modernized case studies, updated demographics, and revised sections around technological developments and recent education system changes. Author Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally recognized authority on creativity. His TED talk on the subject is the most-watched video in TED’s history. The list would have been incomplete without the mention of this book. A must-read!
Teaching with Tools Kids Really Use: Learning with The Web and Mobile Technologies by Susan J. Brooks-Young
The book will give you insights into the potential of standard technologies like Facebook that we use every day. all they need is to use them for the right reasons and the right way because students are already familiar with these tools. As an educator, all you have to do is guide them in the right direction. It covers various web tools and how they can be used for classroom instruction. The book explains how students’ tools to school every day can be used to enhance their experience. It also talks about the ethical use of the internet and digital citizenship, which is of utmost importance to help children use the internet safely.
“The author empowers teachers to engage IT, specialists or administrators, in a discussion about the use of mobile technologies or Web 2.0 tools and to change the way we think about using technology with kids. This book gives readers lots of information (ammunition) to go out and make things happen with their cell phone, laptop, MP3 player, or digital camera!” – April DeGennaro, Gifted Education Teacher, Fayette County Board of Education, Fayetteville, GA.
DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education by Anya Kamenetz
Living in times where people go under debt for further schooling, it is a very timely book. The book examines the roots of the words “College and university” and argues about how the existing system can be changed to reach a broader audience in better ways. The book also focuses on how technology has made it easy to create the right environment to educate students. Significant importance is laid on open-source education ideas, where people can share their knowledge about the latest in technology.
“Anya Kamenetz is one of the best reporters and commentators on the millennial generation and its economic future. In DIY U, she offers a provocative, highly readable take on the growing challenge of ensuring an affordable college education. She envisions an alternative path that would shake up the established order and radically transform how we learn.”- David Halperin, Director, Campus Progress, and Senior Vice President, Center for American Progress.
Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times by EricSheninger
In this book, Eric Sheninger shares his Pillars of Digital Leadership to help readers:
- Transform school culture by initiating sustainable change.
- Use free social media tools to improve communication, enhance public relations, and create a positive brand presence.
- Integrate digital tools into classroom instruction to increase student engagement and achievement.
- Facilitate professional learning and new opportunities and resources through digital technology.
The author paints a very realistic and clear picture of why leaders need to embrace technology (not just tell their teachers to do so) and how they can go about doing that. It’s a must-read for every person leadership position within a school.
“This book is THE book on digital leadership. There is no one I can recommend more highly than the most connected educational leader today – Eric Sheninger – to help us navigate all of the changes taking place in classrooms, schools, and districts. The book is perfect for helping everyone initiate transformational change in a digital world. Whether you are a cutting edge techie or a nervous newbie, this book is for you.” – Todd Whitaker, PhD, Professor of Educational Leadership, Indiana State University.
