Montessori Primer – Where Does Technology Fit in a Montessori Environment?

The incorporation of technology into the Montessori classroom is a choice that must be considered in each Montessori school. Some Montessori schools embrace technology; other Montessori schools prohibit its use. One might wonder, What would Maria Montessori have thought?

In studying Dr. Montessori’s life, it is evident that her scientific and educational ideas were revolutionary in the early 1900’s. In observing and encouraging change based on the needs of the children, she created a methodology for teaching that was very progressive for the Industrial Age. The following chart, based on information shared on former Montessori educator and current education advocate Elizabeth Hubbell’s blog, illustrates that – though Montessori worked in the Industrial Age – her approach to education and child development were ahead of their time, and are perfectly suited to learning in the Information Age.

Industrial Age	Information Age
Books are primary tools	Technology is primary tool
Grade levels based on age	Learning in a community of various ages
Focus on covering specific content	Focus on meeting learners’ needs
Learning “just in case” – information which may not be currently relevant	Learning “just in time” – learning that is developmentally appropriate
Testing to a normalized standard	Assessment based on individual performance
Classroom as the world	World as the classroom
Focus on rote memorization	Focus on problem solving
Competition with fellow students	Collaboration with fellow students
Teacher-centered	Learner-centered
Teacher as knowledge-giver	Teacher as coach

Please join us throughout the coming week as we examine the integration of technology into the Montessori classroom and the home!