When it comes to learning, I agree with many philosophies of
the best way to attain knowledge; one of the best however, is the idea of
learning through experience. It is through these experiences that we learn to
adapt to our surroundings. In order to “survive” in education, and especially
in life, students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc, need to be able to adapt to
the technology and its uses.
Technology hasn’t always referred to electronics however. In
the stone ages, fire was the most advanced technological tool. Then there was the
wheel, horse and carriage, Model-T automobile, a mobile phone, a desktop
computer, iPad, SMARTboard, etc. As there becomes a need for the technology, it
is soon after invented.
If we are preparing students for jobs that haven’t been
created yet, and the use of technology that hasn’t been invented yet, then we
need to strongly consider the role of technology in the classroom and the world
around us. It is undeniable. There is, and most likely always will be, a need
for technology in our everyday lives. That is why it is crucial that we as
teachers understand the importance of technology and how it plays a role in the
success of our students.
I completely agree with you Ashley. Technology is a fact of life. If not used to its fullest potential in the classroom, we are only doing our students a disservice. Children in our society are exposed to technology from the time they are born. Their time in the classroom should be no different. Not only is exposure to technology necessary, but competence in technology is becoming a crucial life skill in our society...it's everywhere we go and in everything we do!
ReplyDeleteA huge concern is the lack of teacher training when it comes to new technology. I know this argument is nothing new, but it is a real problem! If districts are willing to spend the money to provide the newest and best technology, then they should be willing to spend the money to train their teachers how to use it. It should not be assumed that teachers 1) already know how to use it, or 2) that they have the time and resources available to learn it on their own. As an educator, this is something that makes me feel really guilty. I know that there is so much more that I could and should be doing with the technology in my classroom, but I don't have the knowledge to be able to do it. As I'm sure you can relate, I feel that there are so many other things piled on my plate in my profession that I have never had the chance to make technology a priority.