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Technology and Montessori?

Afbeelding voor Technology and Montessori?
Maria Montessori did not include technology in her educational methods and many Montessori settings deliberately avoid the use of technology in their environments, preferring to stick to the materials and resources Montessori described in her writing, referencing the value of hands-on experiences. But, as we find ourselves in a 4th Industrial Revolution, should we review our use of technology in our settings?

Maria Montessori did not include technology in her educational methods because there was barely anything resembling that to be included. As a result, many Montessori settings deliberately avoid the use of technology in their environments, preferring to stick to the materials and resources Montessori referenced in her writing, referencing the value of hands-on experiences. But Montessori reminds us in Education and Peace (2007: 36, Kindle) that

“An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.”  In The Absorbent Mind (2007: 23, Kindle), she promotes education as “a help to life”.

We find ourselves on the brink of a technological revolution that is impacting the way we live, work and relate to each other, “fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds, impacting all disciplines, economies and industries, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human” (Klaus Schwab, World Economic Forum).

Technology is playing a crucial role in the development of education and we have learnt the value of technology to stay connected during the Covid pandemic. Will this impact the use of technology in Montessori settings in the future? Should this impact the use of technology in Montessori settings in the future?

Join us at our Summit, “Technology and Montessori?” on Saturday 25 September from 10.00 – 15.00 (CEST) where we will explore the history of technology, the value of technology in the classroom and how some Montessori settings from the Early Years through to the Adolescents have used technology in their learning.

Some further inspiration: