"It's Not About The Technology"
In times when it is so difficult to find just the right balance in life, Kelly Hines offers some insight to teachers facing the challenge of integrating technology into classes. Many scenarios may take place when presenting these contemporary ideas into classrooms. Hines speaks of most teacher's either inability or unwillingness to learn and adapt to this new technology. Educators must be willing to become the educated in this sense in order to keep up with the times and blend the new technology in with their lesson plans. Hines also outlines an idea that is very close to my heart, learning and teaching are not the same thing. Not all students learn in the same manner as everyone else does. One technique will work for maybe a few, but not for the others. Once a teacher takes the time to learn each individual's style of learning, he or she can then apply the technology at their disposal to conform to these varieties of learning methods.
A teacher must have the passion and drive to be able to help a student learn using even the most primitive technology before the latest advances can be put to good use. One idea Hines did not cover that I feel has become a problem in the classroom is some teachers use the technology placed in their classrooms as a crutch and allow it to replace them becoming impersonal and detached from the students. As Kathy Hines says, with the use of a little technology as a tool, a whole lot of heart and the willingness to innovate, teachers have the power to prepare students with the capacity to be creative, think critically and solve problems with the assistance of whatever new technology the future brings. It really is not about the technology, instead it is more important how we as educators choose to balance technology with the skills we should already possess.
"Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"
As Karl Fisch calls attention to the critical need for technologically literate teachers, I feel this is done in an extreme fashion. While his philosophy that if a teacher today is
not technologically literate-and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more-it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years who didn't know how to read or write could not be agreed with more, there should be some disclaimers to this idea. There are numerous teachers without technical savvy that have much more to offer students than the skills to survive in a technically enhanced society. I do not feel these teachers need to be shut out and cast away because of their lack of tech smarts nor their unwillingness to gain more knowledge in this area. The thought of technology to those who did grow up in the cutting edge world most new teachers entering the field today did is overwhelming and scary. Much like the way learning anything is overwhelming and scary to kids who have learning disabilities or have trouble understanding what is being taught. The teacher of this child does not give up on them and throw them in a corner to make their lives easier, instead they find new approaches and different steps to work with this child to help them understand the material. This same principle can be applied to help the process to become technologically literate a smooth transition. It is human nature to be obstinate when one is told what they "need" to do. When told they "need" to learn how to be technologically literate, a person almost automatically goes on the defensive and resists. Steps should be taken by the school systems to reassure these precarious teachers that technology is in fact a good thing and is profoundly beneficial for students and teachers alike to become intimate with in order to ensure success in the future instead of demanding technology workshop attendance and threatening ones job if participation is not executed. Like everything else in life, the manner in which something is approached makes all the difference.
not technologically literate-and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more-it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years who didn't know how to read or write could not be agreed with more, there should be some disclaimers to this idea. There are numerous teachers without technical savvy that have much more to offer students than the skills to survive in a technically enhanced society. I do not feel these teachers need to be shut out and cast away because of their lack of tech smarts nor their unwillingness to gain more knowledge in this area. The thought of technology to those who did grow up in the cutting edge world most new teachers entering the field today did is overwhelming and scary. Much like the way learning anything is overwhelming and scary to kids who have learning disabilities or have trouble understanding what is being taught. The teacher of this child does not give up on them and throw them in a corner to make their lives easier, instead they find new approaches and different steps to work with this child to help them understand the material. This same principle can be applied to help the process to become technologically literate a smooth transition. It is human nature to be obstinate when one is told what they "need" to do. When told they "need" to learn how to be technologically literate, a person almost automatically goes on the defensive and resists. Steps should be taken by the school systems to reassure these precarious teachers that technology is in fact a good thing and is profoundly beneficial for students and teachers alike to become intimate with in order to ensure success in the future instead of demanding technology workshop attendance and threatening ones job if participation is not executed. Like everything else in life, the manner in which something is approached makes all the difference.
Gary's Social Media Count
The rate at which the number of items being shared in a single minute worldwide is staggering and difficult to even comprehend a number this large. The first question that comes to mind is, how much of this information traveling the globe is actually useful material? Much of what is posted on the various social media outlets is empty and often times ill conceived. As future educators, the astounding rate at which these numbers change should not just open our eyes to the possible resources at our expense, how fast these resources are evolving and the importance to keep up with the changes; but also to understand the importance of learning to navigate these sites without having to drudge through any futile time consuming nonsense. It is also important to realize not only as educators but as parents as well to realize that anybody can post anything and at such a high rate of this information being shared, it is vital to monitor what sites our students and children have access to and be involved in any communication they participate in on the internet. Censorship has always been a touchy subject, but in order to prevent students from seeing or reading something that is not appropriate that could possibly have an adverse influence, this is necessary.
The rate at which the number of items being shared in a single minute worldwide is staggering and difficult to even comprehend a number this large. The first question that comes to mind is, how much of this information traveling the globe is actually useful material? Much of what is posted on the various social media outlets is empty and often times ill conceived. As future educators, the astounding rate at which these numbers change should not just open our eyes to the possible resources at our expense, how fast these resources are evolving and the importance to keep up with the changes; but also to understand the importance of learning to navigate these sites without having to drudge through any futile time consuming nonsense. It is also important to realize not only as educators but as parents as well to realize that anybody can post anything and at such a high rate of this information being shared, it is vital to monitor what sites our students and children have access to and be involved in any communication they participate in on the internet. Censorship has always been a touchy subject, but in order to prevent students from seeing or reading something that is not appropriate that could possibly have an adverse influence, this is necessary.
A Vision of Students Today
Mike Wesch's video "A Vision of Students Today" is a haunting account of how technology has impacted how students interact not only the classroom, but also in their everyday lives. Many ideas come to mind after viewing this video, first of which is how technology has taken over just about every aspect life. The statistics shown display that students spend a quantifying amount of time on their computers performing tasks the average person are incapable of. If these individuals are smart enough to operate complex technological devises, they should also have the wits to excel in courses in which they are enrolled. The problem being faced is most are applying these intellects elsewhere. Technology has served as a distraction rather than a means to facilitate learning. The cost of books have risen because of a lower demand as a result of so many colleges and universities publishing materials online for students to access rather than having to purchase a textbook. While this is useful, not all courses and instructors wish to participate and still require a book, in the end the same amount of money is still being spent. As future elementary educators, we should be aware of the example being set to young minds and provide a good model of how technology can be used within reason. This video should also bring an awareness to what activities students are engaging in while they are not in class so as teachers we can search for opportunities to utilize these activities in the classroom to guarantee interest and overall success of the student.
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your posts each week because they are so insightful and powerful. You have the gift of getting your point across with a considerable amount of propriety. You do not seem condescending when you disagree, but you make sure that your point of view is presented to the reader.
I really appreciated the connection you made to teaching technology in a somewhat unwilling environment with teaching children who have disabilities. The process will be slow, and it will not be easy, BUT that does not make it impossible! Excellent, excellent job!
Please, keep up the spectacular writing, and continue to approach these assignments with your fresh perspective - I appreciate it immensely!
Also, make sure to change the numbering of your blog posts. We have recorded that you did not do blog post 3, simply because you have it labeled as 4. Change it ASAP so your grade will not be affected!
Thank you,
Rebekah Lloyd
WOW, and when I actually posted blog assignment 4 today it went right over my head. My apologies! And thank you for the reassurance, I was worried I was not taking these assignments in the right direction.
ReplyDelete"... I do not feel these teachers need to be shut out and cast away because of their lack of tech smarts nor their unwillingness to gain more knowledge in this area. ..." What about being "willing to learn"? Would you make that a requirement?
ReplyDelete"The thought of technology to those who did grow up in the cutting edge world most new teachers entering the field today did is overwhelming and scary." It appears that something is missing in this sentence.
"... to reassure these precarious teachers..." Is precarious the correct word here?
"The rate at which the number of items being shared in a single minute worldwide is staggering and difficult to even comprehend a number this large." You need it is before difficult to make this sentence work.
"As future educators, the astounding rate at which these numbers change should not just open our eyes to the possible resources at our expense..." At our expense? I don't understand.
And there are several other areas in this post that would benefit from careful proofreading.
Interesting arguments.
Dr. Strange,
ReplyDeleteI do not believe you can require a person to have the will to do anything. There are students bound to come into my life that are not going to possess a will to learn. My hope is that I will be able to find ways to connect to these students that will inspire them to gain this will to learn. While as teachers we are life long learners, I do not feel we should limit our pupils to be just the ones that sit in a desk in front of us. Individuals who are technologically literate in the education field should help find ways to connect to the teachers who are not willing to learn these skills and help inspire them to have that need to further their own education; an idea I realize was poorly conveyed.
I used the term precarious to define these individuals who lack the will to become technologically literate to express the insecurities that is commonly felt among veteran teachers. I am aware of the term's several meanings and perhaps I should have used more direct verbiage. The same pertains to the phrase at our expense. My intended purpose for the use of this word was to emphasize how readily available the devices used in conjunction with advancing technology are to everyone walking the planet. I possibly could have used the term disposal.
Thank you for bringing these and other errors to my attention and allowing me to clarify my thoughts further.