I think about how the use of technology in school classrooms has evolved throughout the years, and has become revolutionary in changing the way we teach and learn. Our classrooms should no longer be confined to four walls and a few teachers who are considered to be experts in knowledge. Our classrooms need to keep up with a changing society and a new world that is dependent on technology. A school needs to offer the latest technological resources and training to enhance the classroom experience.
I don’t think that the technology should drive the curriculum, but it should complement and enhance it. Technology is such a big part of the students' world that we as educators need to inspire them to use these technologies to learn. We shouldn't be afraid to change the way we teach. Not that they can't learn the traditional way, but they are so dependent on technology that we should use that to teach them.
All of our schools probably have technology and use some technology to teach the students, but we may not be reaching everyone unless we adapt to how the students learn the best. It is difficult because how can we teach 30 different ways to a class of 30? I would think that there are more changes to come in the near future for education - ones that we haven't even thought of yet! What do you think about the role of technology in schools today?
Here are a couple of articles discussing similar topics:
“Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students”: http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html
Accepting technology seems to be a huge deal with teachers. Recently, I was told by my team of teachers that if there were more time in the day and more supports offered by the district, technology and its implementation would not be as big of a problem as it is. Finding specific ways to incorporate the curriculum through technology, teachers have a difficult time finding relevance. It is also difficult for teachers to shift their thinking to multi-tasking throughout different modalities of learning versus the intensive focus on a sole source of information. Rarely do I, even from a teacher’s perspective, sit and do one thing at a time. I am a technology multitasker, with multiple windows and open tabs, programs, and tools.
ReplyDeleteIn such a positive way, we have opened the doors to our classrooms to exclude the walls. Technology has blown the ceiling off of our classrooms, allowing students and teachers to evolve roles, and educational settings rich in information and collaboration.
I agree with you that technology has become a large piece of the educational pie, but it isn’t stand-alone. Your title says it all—technology integration specialist. Each school should have 5 of these. Coaching is a great way to ease the fears of veteran teachers. I also appreciate the way educators may have trepidation in teaching technology, and I see why they fear it. It wasn’t too long ago some of these teachers were warned about clicking on one icon or the next for fear of losing their work. It falls back to the generational gap of boomer and net generation. What you can’t see scares you.
An English teacher, I appreciate being able to identify the audience, work collaboratively in an editorial way and even more, gaining technology skills in order to drive your point across. A tax payer, I resent how my tax dollars are being funneled into programs lacking research and outcomes, whereas it is needed in the area of technology education of educators AND students.
I write all this knowing they have just eliminated a technology teacher at our middle school because of funding. The one teacher responsible for teaching technology came to a team meeting and asked how she can help support us as teachers. We have 75 teachers and 750 students. Yes, one tech teacher to 750 students. Discouraging is an understatement.
I would like to think there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It may take another decade, but I am sure funding and elimination of jobs is a cyclical concept here in PA. Years ago, we packed them in the classroom and included them, only to lose good educators. We are headed in that direction again, but it is with much dismay I watch as my students miss out on much-needed experts in various areas of education.
BWalsh
Brooke - I posted your comments from the email. For some reason they did not come through under the comments section for this post - that's why the Anonymous name is at the top. You're right. I think it happened in our school in the early 80s that they increased class size and a lot of people lost jobs and then we reverted back to that in the 90s. Hopefully this trend of "we have no money" and "the budget is tight" are soon going to be over. I do believe that the kids are the ones that miss out!!
DeleteChris, I love that you say "technology should not drive the curriculum but enhance it." I couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we are at a crossroads in education where we realize the need to stay abreast of current trends in technology and pass them along to our students but at the same time we need to make sure they know the fundamentals of nature and life on Earth, because a lot of that crucial knowledge is being lost or recorded using modern technology, which we all know is not available due to natural disasters and such. As educators we need to find the happy medium between both so that the kids can excel in any type of future.
Thanks - I have always believed that the curriculum should be enhanced by the use of technology. I agree that there needs to be a good blend of both technology and good old fashion teaching and learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Chris, that there are changes to education we haven't seen yet. It's interesting that trends occurring globally mirror the learning style that Net Gen learners possess. They are social (Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, etc.), they are competitive and thrive on discovery learning (Halo, WOW, Rune, etc.), and they multi-task (how many windows are open at once?)
ReplyDeleteTechnology is what Net Gens grew up with. They're natives, not immigrants. Many young teachers are natives, so what is the issue with not integrating technology in the classroom? Money? Equipment? Inequities in technological distribution or accessibility?
And why are we taxpayers still funding print editions of textbooks, photocopiers, paper supplies, and programs that are not technology rich?
I spent about an hour on The Flat Classroom Project websites last night, and it was such a positive, invigorating experience! There really are many educators out there trying to conquer the digital divide and trying to deliver the 21st century skills our students need. Do we just need to have faith? And a lot of patience?
Louise
I like your natives and immigrants analogy. It's funny to think that all of us that did not have computers in high school and the kids today are growing up with all of this technology around them and they just start using it like they have been doing it for years. I think some districts just can't fund the cost of technology, so the students may not get the chance to be exposed to it. I think you will see more and more districts moving to digital texts especially now that Apple has jumped into the mix and is working with the publishing companies to create iBook-type texts. It will be interesting to see we we are in ten years!!
DeleteIf that move occurs, if public schools transform and adopt e-books, I can see the burden of providing devices begin to fall on families, can't you? Though there is a digital divide, and I'm certain there's a percentage of families who can't afford it, my guess is that some income level measurement will start to determine who can afford and bring in their own devices and who needs to be provided them at taxpayer cost.
DeleteJust thinking out of the box!
Louise
Sadly, I think many districts will be forced the use of technology for all the wrong reasons. My district is piloting an elementary and high school model next year where the students will spend part of the time being instructed by the teacher and part of the time being instructed through online learning. The motivation? Class size! They can have a teacher teach more students and an aide in the lab with the other students. The concept does sound intriguing, but are elementary students really ready for such independent learning? Also, who is going to instruct the students on what online learning is all about when many teachers have not “bought” into it? Many students in this Net Generation are ready for this type of learning especially to engage and empower them to learn because they have been born practically with computers in their hands, literally! While us, technological immigrants, are adapting as our grandparents adapted to TV. We need to learn the value of online learning before teaching this new model, but we are out of time. The time is now, not when the district decides to inservice its staff. I believe many students will adapt easier than the teachers. Technology is causing education as we know it to change fast. Ready or not … its coming .. so hold on!
ReplyDeleteWow - I can maybe see that model working but not at the elementary level. I guess I would have to see the content and online work before I could really judge that model. I agree that the time is now. We can't sit back and wait and think it is another trend. Technology is only going to improve and we need to find a way to implement it into our curriculums as much as we possibly can. I think the students today learn differently and learn better with technology in their hands. We need to change our approach a little and use technology in the classrooms.
DeleteDepending on what the person's job is, their views are different. Our school's technology coordinator thinks that technology should be driving curriculum and focused on. Older teachers feel that the curriculum is the focus and technology is a fad. Younger teachers seem to have the best grasp on technology as a tool to supplement curriculum in my opinion. Regardless of what the person stance is, technology is here to stay. With the cost of technology becoming more affordable, there is a trickle down effect for access. My only concern is there may be a limit for how far down it reaches and there will still be some students left behind.
ReplyDeleteBrad J