To capitalize on student knowledge of technology, teachers should:

• A. Acknowledge and harness student expertise
• B. Suppress student input
• C. Rely only on teacher expertise
• D. Restrict technology use

Answer: (A)

Acknowledging what students already know about technology and bringing it into the learning process makes literacy work more authentic and engaging. When teachers harness this expertise, students become active contributors, using their devices, apps, and online experiences to explore texts, collaborate on projects, and share ideas in ways that feel relevant to them. This approach boosts motivation and understanding because learners see their strengths reflected in classroom tasks and can learn from peers who model effective digital strategies. The teacher still provides clear goals, models responsible and ethical tech use, and offers guidance as needed to keep learning on track. By contrast, trying to suppress input, rely only on the teacher, or limit technology misses chances to connect learning to students’ lives and to develop their digital literacy skills.