What resonated most with me throughout chapter 1 was how we as teachers are really chasing technology as it continues to move ahead at light speed. Richardson says, "the world is changing around us, yet as a system we have been very, very slow to react." The rigorous instructional demands teachers face coupled with new technologies that are being unveiled before our eyes such as document cameras, interactive whiteboards and new webtools, impose a sense of urgency. Where traditionally students have come to the teacher to learn, many of us are learning from our students in the face of rapidly growing access and skill in the use of technology at younger and younger ages.
Issues of equity in education have to be examined in light of the chapter 1 discussion. Technology integration is a powerful tool for 21st Century learning but not all students, individual schools or whole school districts have similar access to these tools. Richardson, on page 7, mentions the 2005 Netday survey that "asserts that technology has become 'an indispensible tool in the education of today's students.'" So what are the short and long term implications for districts that lack the funding sources to put into students' hands what seems to be equivalent to the basic paper and pencil? Surely a gap will develop in terms of the acquired skillset students will take throughout their schooling and into the competetive job market.
Sue, I like that you mention that while traditionally students came to us to learn, now they seem to be the ones who are teaching us. What I find difficult is that while they do know more about how to interact with technology, they still don't know how to do things "properly", and therefore still need instruction and guidance- often from teachers who don't know enough about how to help them. For example, students jump onto Google immediately when asked to do research, and often don't know how to evaluate web resources.
ReplyDeleteSue, I think you make a very valid point about how advances in technology can leave populations of students in the dust in their ability to compete academically and in the workplace with students in districts that have more up-to-date technology consistently available to them. It highlights for me the role private businesses are going to have to play in helping to educate our students so that they will have a trained workforce ready to meet the workplace demands that will be presented to them when they graduate.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is also important that schools that train educators need to incorporate teacher training in using up-to-date technology in the classroom, and not leave it to just those students who opt to get their masters in educational technology. It is today's reality and needs to be addressed now. What will make this easier, for the most part, is that the youth rising up into the new-teacher ranks are already more computer savvy that those of us trying to "catch up."
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI love your colorful, creative blog page… While gazing at your spectacular display my senses are overwhelmed with a feeling of serenity. I am transformed into a calm, serene day spa, with tranquility a mist, and the scent of lavender flowing through the air… Oh! Back to work!
What resonates with me while perusing your Chapter 1 Response is that we agree on the speed and lack of equity within each school district. Our school system is extremely lucky to have a community that supports excellence by providing advancement in the area of technology. In addition, the F.A.C.E.S. Grants provide the school district with a little extra, that screams; “We want to go that extra mile”.
Many school districts in Massachusetts are not as fortunate as we are in Foxborough, I have several friends and family members that teach in other systems across the state therefore; I have a unique perspective on what resources are available to educators, in the area of technology. The situation that teachers have to deal with in other schools districts are atrocious, for instance; horrendous unsafe buildings, lack of textbooks, or any supplies, few computers, or out dated computers and a lack of support in the area of discipline. Unfortunately, there are simply stated a lack of parental support. In other words, the deterioration of society as a whole, this thought process is unacceptable to me. I can’t fathom waking up every day to face those atrocious conditions. Can you?
In other words, I feel pretty spoiled as I quickly display my student’s work on my white board with the assistance of my friend ELMO. Our state, no, in fact, our country better wake up soon or we all will be in trouble. Equity issues in education need to become a priority in the 21st Century.
Your fellow blogger,
Cathyr