In our current economic situation many schools are cutting "non-essential" programs such as art and music. My thinking is that if there is not enough money to pay for these wonderful subjects, then how are schools going to afford SMART Boards, computers, video cameras, photo editing software and other programs? Our job, as educators is to teach our children. But the question is, what do we teach them? Are we teaching them to take test, or are we teaching them life skills? We need to be teaching them how to read, write and think creatively and independently. We should be teaching them to be well-rounded individuals, and to do that they need to be exposed to as much as we possibly can. Technology is included in that. Educators can offer students a world of new techniques using a variety of programs such as Adobe Flash, Audacity, iMovie, etc. This is an important issue because these programs are not always available to use, because there is not always enough money for them.
My next concerns can be combined into one issue. Teachers do not know what technological advances are available to use, and even if they did, they wouldn't know how to use that program in their classroom. In my specific field many of my co-workers are computer illiterate. They do not even know how to use Microsoft Word or even how to check their emails. Over the past few years they have been "forced" to get to know it because our lesson plans are required to be typed and sent electronically to the Ed Coordinator. This is one small step in the direction of teaching educators to become more technologically friendly, but it is just a very tiny step. Technology moves so fast and there are so many different programs and devices available that it is difficult for "newcomers" to keep up with it. Just as soon as you feel comfortable with one program, it becomes obsolete. To many people this is frustrating. I feel like one possible idea might be to expose educator to new programs and other technological options during a yearly in-service time. That way the teachers would at least be aware that this option is available to try in the classroom. Things that are more familiar are less scary, and therefore more likely to be availed of.
You touched on some key issues concerning modern problems with educational technology. I find lack of knowledge to be the most pressing issue because educational technology is an inevitable phenomenon and teachers need to be prepared for it. I liked your solution about yearly exposure to new technologies. I feel this practice would keep teachers up to date on the latest technologies.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very well written. I'm faced with the same challenges in my school. Lack funding has lead to a lack of technology at my school. My teachers have lost their jobs, but the district has been able to buy smart boards... i just do get that concept. I feel as though I'm teaching my students to do well on a test (CMT's) and not to become independent thinkers, its very frustrating. Hopefully the future will be a different place, a place where teaching and technology can unite for good of all students.
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