This summer, HLT dedicates the #8WeeksOfSummer blog challenge to exploring the changing role of technology in education. Over the past two decades, instructional technology has transformed how we teach, learn, communicate, assess, and connect. Yet alongside rapid innovation has come growing resistance, skepticism, and important questions about student privacy, artificial intelligence, social media, screen time, digital wellness, and the role technology should play in our schools – the Digital Backlash.
This week, Has Technology Eliminated Productive Struggle?
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While I have been mastering new skills, like prompt engineering, I recently realized it took me longer to compose a blog post from scratch than it used to. I wonder if our learners would take that problem to an AI tool to solve or recognize the atrophy and decide to write more instead? In a world where access to tools that make us all more productive is accessible, where should we stand firm that productive struggle is helpful to the teaching and learning process?
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The 2026 #8WeeksOfSummer blog challenge runs June 8 – July 27, 2026, and is open to any educator. Each week, participants will respond to a prompt designed to encourage reflection on some aspect of instructional technology, digital culture, or educational practice.
The Rules
Have a Blog: You may blog on a traditional blog, podcast, Substack, LinkedIn, Facebook, or any platform that provides an independent URL for each post.
Write & Include:
(1) This statement at the beginning of your post:
“This post is week ___ of 8 in the #8WeeksOfSummer Blog Challenge by HotLunchTray.com.”
Please link that statement to:
https://www.hotlunchtray.com
(2) Please use the hashtag #8WeeksOfSummer when sharing your post on social media.
Comment on the Prompt:
Post a link to your blog in the comments section of each week’s Blog Challenge prompt. As educators, summer schedules are flexible, so posting within a couple of weeks of each prompt is perfectly acceptable.
This 2026 #8WeeksOfSummer blog challenge runs June 8 – July 27, 2026, and is open to any educator. The challenge encourages educators to reflect on their experiences, beliefs, questions, and observations regarding technology’s role in teaching and learning. Each prompt invites participants to explore a different aspect of professional practice and share their perspective with the broader educational community.
Check HotLunchTray.com on June 8th and every Monday through July 27th for a new prompt.
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