Theory is based on "TEST"--> Task, Environment, Skills, Tools
Suggests that we must teach our students how to analyze TASKS, the task-completion ENVIRONMENT, their own SKILLS, and an appropriate range of available TOOLS. We need to start letting our students explore various tools and make their own decisions.
Students must learn to create their own collection of life solutions/tools to refer to in the future and to use these solutions appropriately.
Toolbelt is designed to:
break the dependance cycle
develop lifespan technology skills
limit limitations
empower student decision making
prepare students for life beyond school
Educators must be willing to allow failure. We must make failure "low cost" so that students will be willing to make mistakes and learn from them.
Keys to building a toolbelt:
contemporary technology
ubiquitous technology
a view to the future
student choice
"Method Freedom" instead of "Method Privilege"
low cost of failure
universal design (non-prescriptive)
Educators have a responsibility to provide students with a plethora of resources/tools and to TEACH students how to use them. Students should have time to explore each resource/tool in depth and then choose what works best for them.
Toolbelt Theory is NOT just for those with "disabilities." Every child needs to have their own collection of resources/tools.