Do Students See Themselves in the Medium?

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Recently a debate ensued with regard to tech choices. This is not uncommon in today's teaching, learning, and work worlds as tech is changing at a rapid rate.

As I responded during this debate, I wondered about the value of children "seeing themselves in the medium." I believe that we need to choose some tech tools just because they reach our outliers. For example, if a medium reflects multiple cultures, skin shades, and dress codes, we might actually reach some of the students who rarely see themselves or their family members in the curriculum books, programs, and other tools.

It could be that these programs that include playful, real world characters are "gateway" programs that lead children step-by-step to more sophisticated, and sometimes less playful, mediums. Teachers know that this process is often used when it comes to reading. Sometimes we accept what is considered the lesser book to step a child into reading (Yet the question of "lesser" and "more" is important too, and ultimately high quality tools that include real-world, diverse characters (and avatars) are best). Of course, the ultimate goal is to always choose high quality programs and tools for all children, but as we choose we can't forget about the importance of choosing tools where children "see themselves in the medium" because its those tools that engage children, and engagement is a critical element when it comes to teaching children well.