Teachers will need to be technologically astute and experienced, be able to include technology in their teaching. They will need to embrace whatever the latest technology is (students will start using it before we do) instead of banning it the way we do now.
Teachers will need to have an open mind as well as be open to change. Students should be using technology in the classroom every day. In many cases this is not happening either b/c of the lack of technology in the school or lack of experience from teachers.
I think that public education really lags behind in the world of technology. Students who come from families that have access to the latest technology are more computer savy than most of their teachers. Whereas, students who come from families that can not afford even a basic 'modern' computer (or the monthly bill for internet service) are at a disadvantage in school, academically, socially, and are being left behind. Teachers, some grades or schools more than others, and some departments are also being left behind because the 'techno goodies' - the actual computers, wires, CTXs, etc etc are not being provided in an equitable fashion across the district. There is a huge gape between what some of us would like to be doing and the physical equipment that is needed to do it. For example, there are unreliable computers (and that is a gentle way of describing the situation) everywhere...and even printing out a page becomes a huge ordeal because the district has not provided printers in the classrooms. Screens? Extension cords? Mice? Replacement ethernet cords?
In the past we were taught to teach the basic curriculum and little else. The students memorized the material and regurgitated it. Obviously that doesn't work anymore. The teacher helps with the knowledge distribution but needs to go futher, teaching the student how to think, analyze, sythesize, evaluate, etc., etc. Kids have the capacity for a lot of growth, but you have to hit them "where they live." For example; kids like technology, so integrate this in all areas, and so on.....
Because of equity issues, it becomes extremely important that schools provide exposure to all students daily through explicit classroom instruction on how to access the new technologies. It is equally important that school districts understand the necessity of spending money to purchase updated computers and software as often as possible. Teachers will need training so they can share skills with students. They will also need to know how to incorporate and apply the new technologies to their teaching of curriculum.
Teachers will need to become comfortable and conversant with technology, and its rapid changes. Teachers will need constant updated training, and a willingness to be a part of the future. Teachers will have to be willing to use technology as part of their teaching tools, and learning strategies in class.
Teachers will need to embrace technology in their instruction. To do this teachers will have to jump on that learning curve and learn new things. It will take time, practice and training but is critical for 21st century education.
As teachers we will need to become comfortable using the technology ourselves. I often wonder if our district unerstands this idea of 21century literacy, as we always seem to struggle with access to technology in our individual schools.
I just noticed through the exercise our class is doing right now, that having a discussion through a blog opens up the possibility of more involvement from individuals who are less likely to speak up in a vocal discussion (due to shyness, lack of self-confidence, etc.)
My response is on two levels. First, I am a public school teacher of 17 years, and so have an “in the trenches” perspective and second, while my date of birth makes me of the “pre-digital generation,” my interest, ability and survival instinct have strongly motivated me to embrace technology on a personal and professional level. The question of what will happen to education in the future generated mental harmonics to ideas I heard whilst attending a workshop by Will Richardson on using technology in the classroom. I was motivated then to begin using a blog on both a personal and professional level. What I wrote in response to his ideas I find confirmed in my visceral reaction to these issues. I tried to visualize a creature programmed to prefer electronic interface to traditional, "old school" interactions, who has little interest in literature but can spend endless hours passively watching moving images, whose interaction with others has been primarily in the form of competitive entertainment and even that through the barrier of a glass screen. Who communicates with others in an instant message language devoid of beauty or poetry, but with the aim of using the fewest possible keystrokes, without a face, behind a fantasy nickname. I wonder what kind of mind and character develops in a child who has been taught through games and entertainment, through fast and easy access to someone else's work, who cannot abide or even understand the concept that some things are worth the work, however mentally painful it might be. But where would the skills needed to be a thoughtful, contemplative, empathic listener be learned? I am a very strong advocate of adding technology to our schools. I use technology several times a week in my classroom. We cannot ignore the fact that our kids have no future without a strong technological background. While the benefits of technology are patently obvious, I wonder how we keep the humanity in it. How do we keep students able to speak face to face with each other, to love the sound, taste and feel of language for its own sake instead of as an abbreviated message to be completed in a few keystrokes? Is it unrealistic to expect that as we teach technology, no matter what the objective or content, we can still teach a child how to respond appropriately to real-world situations and relationships that have very little in common with a piece of hardware? I don't want our children to forget the joy in the weight, heft, smell and feel of a book in their hands. But then again, I do want them to be able to order a book online from an obscure publisher in India with the click of a mouse. . .
12 comments:
Teachers will need to be technologically astute and experienced, be able to include technology in their teaching. They will need to embrace whatever the latest technology is (students will start using it before we do) instead of banning it the way we do now.
Teachers will need to have an open mind as well as be open to change. Students should be using technology in the classroom every day. In many cases this is not happening either b/c of the lack of technology in the school or lack of experience from teachers.
I think that public education really lags behind in the world of technology. Students who come from families that have access to the latest technology are more computer savy than most of their teachers. Whereas, students who come from families that can not afford even a basic 'modern' computer (or the monthly bill for internet service) are at a disadvantage in school, academically, socially, and are being left behind. Teachers, some grades or schools more than others, and some departments are also being left behind because the 'techno goodies' - the actual computers, wires, CTXs, etc etc are not being provided in an equitable fashion across the district. There is a huge gape between what some of us would like to be doing and the physical equipment that is needed to do it. For example, there are unreliable computers (and that is a gentle way of describing the situation) everywhere...and even printing out a page becomes a huge ordeal because the district has not provided printers in the classrooms. Screens? Extension cords? Mice? Replacement ethernet cords?
In the past we were taught to teach the basic curriculum and little else. The students memorized the material and regurgitated it. Obviously that doesn't work anymore. The teacher helps with the knowledge distribution but needs to go futher, teaching the student how to think, analyze, sythesize, evaluate, etc., etc.
Kids have the capacity for a lot of growth, but you have to hit them "where they live." For example; kids like technology, so integrate this in all areas, and so on.....
Because of equity issues, it becomes extremely important that schools provide exposure to all students daily through explicit classroom instruction on how to access the new technologies. It is equally important that school districts understand the necessity of spending money to purchase updated computers and software as often as possible. Teachers will need training so they can share skills with students. They will also need to know how to incorporate and apply the new technologies to their teaching of curriculum.
Teachers will need to become comfortable and conversant with technology, and its rapid changes. Teachers will need constant updated training, and a willingness to be a part of the future.
Teachers will have to be willing to use technology as part of their teaching tools, and learning strategies in class.
The implicatins for teachers is that they must keep up with the techonlogy, and be able to adapt their own comfort level.
Teachers will need to embrace technology in their instruction. To do this teachers will have to jump on that learning curve and learn new things. It will take time, practice and training but is critical for 21st century education.
As teachers we will need to become comfortable using the technology ourselves. I often wonder if our district unerstands this idea of 21century literacy, as we always seem to struggle with access to technology in our individual schools.
I just noticed through the exercise our class is doing right now, that having a discussion through a blog opens up the possibility of more involvement from individuals who are less likely to speak up in a vocal discussion (due to shyness, lack of self-confidence, etc.)
Typing skills should be taught at a very young age!
My response is on two levels. First, I am a public school teacher of 17 years, and so have an “in the trenches” perspective and second, while my date of birth makes me of the “pre-digital generation,” my interest, ability and survival instinct have strongly motivated me to embrace technology on a personal and professional level. The question of what will happen to education in the future generated mental harmonics to ideas I heard whilst attending a workshop by Will Richardson on using technology in the classroom. I was motivated then to begin using a blog on both a personal and professional level. What I wrote in response to his ideas I find confirmed in my visceral reaction to these issues. I tried to visualize a creature programmed to prefer electronic interface to traditional, "old school" interactions, who has little interest in literature but can spend endless hours passively watching moving images, whose interaction with others has been primarily in the form of competitive entertainment and even that through the barrier of a glass screen. Who communicates with others in an instant message language devoid of beauty or poetry, but with the aim of using the fewest possible keystrokes, without a face, behind a fantasy nickname. I wonder what kind of mind and character develops in a child who has been taught through games and entertainment, through fast and easy access to someone else's work, who cannot abide or even understand the concept that some things are worth the work, however mentally painful it might be. But where would the skills needed to be a thoughtful, contemplative, empathic listener be learned? I am a very strong advocate of adding technology to our schools. I use technology several times a week in my classroom. We cannot ignore the fact that our kids have no future without a strong technological background. While the benefits of technology are patently obvious, I wonder how we keep the humanity in it. How do we keep students able to speak face to face with each other, to love the sound, taste and feel of language for its own sake instead of as an abbreviated message to be completed in a few keystrokes? Is it unrealistic to expect that as we teach technology, no matter what the objective or content, we can still teach a child how to respond appropriately to real-world situations and relationships that have very little in common with a piece of hardware? I don't want our children to forget the joy in the weight, heft, smell and feel of a book in their hands. But then again, I do want them to be able to order a book online from an obscure publisher in India with the click of a mouse. . .
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