What’s the discussion on engaging verses memorable and impactful?  Parents often talk to me about using technology to engage their children but I have always been against computer labs in Religious Schools.  I’m all for using technology to encourage students to do their own research or to use it to help them process their learning or to expand the audience.  We asked the participants of our Israel program to write journal entries about their trip.  When they found out that we would email their entry to all of the parents they increased their effort of the essays.

I have told teachers before that I don’t allow word searches or coloring in the classroom.  When they say, but kids like word searches, I say, “Tell me about the most memorable or meaningful word search you’ve ever taken?”  They always seem to draw a blank.  Technology can often become like a word search, it’s enjoyable, passes the time, and it allows you to feel successful at something in a short period of time, but does it change lives?  Does it give a new perspective on the world?  Does it connect you with the other children in the classroom? Does it teach you anything?

Technology can often be used like a word search.  I have 2 hours and 45 minutes once a week to give these kids Jewish glasses so they can look at the world through Jewish eyes.  A cool bell or whistle might be a nice set induction but it’s not going to sustain the lesson or the goal.