Should I be scared? Are there people still out there that don’t realize that we live in a world that is not even remotely close to Shakespeare’s time, the 1800’s, and even England in the 1900’s? The music also made me think of a painted and angry Mel Gibson ready to slaughter the British. Are some of the numbers interesting? Yes, but this is nothing new, shift does indeed happen and we are racing top speed into an un-chartered territory of the incredible technology age.
I remember when my father bought our first computer in 95’, now I check two email accounts daily, blog, communicate on Ning, use Wiki, and post homework online for easier access. I look forward to finally getting and using a smart-board and getting rid of that dusty overhead projector that has an incredible power to hum students to sleep.
Am I preparing my students for the 21st century? As an English teacher, I would like to believe so. I use my laptop to access videos and power point presentations; we also use the lab to research online and play interactive grammar games. I tell students that they will always need the skills to write well, whether they are sending an email or preparing a presentation; that can never be replaced.
From what I have seen, students that have access to technology are preparing themselves. In my school, students informed me about http://www.blockmyass.com/, a website that helps them get around districts’ control of what they can and can’t access in school. I also saw one of my seniors filling out a Rita’s job application online while simultaneously checking on the status of her admission at Montclair. Inadvertently, we are all moving with the shift.
As educators, technology is truly essential, conversely it should not replace traditional teaching, instead gently blend with it. We need more money for technology! We need to train older teachers to implement more technology in the classroom; we need to train young teachers to effectively apply technology to increase the effectiveness of lessons and learner’s motivation and enthusiasm.
Can a teacher be successful without any technology? I am sad to say, no. No longer is a strong personality and personal enthusiasm enough. This is especially true for students from low socioeconomic areas. Give these children access to information, give them skills to do simple things like communicate well in an email, send at attachment, and find a job online. Maybe then this student will realize that China has four times the population of U.S and our honor students can beat up their honor students!
7 comments:
I definitely agree with you that online communication has exploded as I too check multiple e-mail accounts and use a smart board/Power Point whenever possible. Students definitely need to learn how to write properly as it is an ongoing struggle to eliminate text message language that appears more and more frequently in writing assignments (b/c, b4, etc.)
However, I disagree with the point you make when you claim that teachers cannot be successful without technology. A UDel professor made a comment that sounds a bit cliche, but has stuck with me to this day, "Kids don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Although I agree that technology is becoming increasingly important in the classroom, it cannot replace an enthusiastic teacher with a great personality who truly cares about his or her students.
April- I absolutely agree that technology can't ever replace a caring human being, that is why I emphasized the idea of blending the use of technology with traditional teaching methods. I think not using any technology in the classroom would be a disservice to students who are entering a world described by Friedman, Pink, and the "Did You Know?" video.
I'm just as guilty as the rest of us. I throw the phrase "21st century learning skills" around with abandon. What exactly happened in the year 2000 that suddenly changed the skills that were needed? Besides an advancing of technology and amount and speed of information: nothing.
Analysis: Back in the 1950's and 1960's it seemed as if the purpose of school was to get students ready for the world of work (mostly in a factory or service industry setting) and/or the armed forces. College preparation was for a much smaller percentage and back then, having a high school diploma was enough to get you a decent working class job to support yourself and a family. In the 80's and 90's, it seemed as if schools changed. Junior high's were changed to middle schools. Art and music programs ebbed and flowed. Schools were turning out more students destined for college and it seemed as if the overall goal was to turn out a well rounded student who had good self esteem and played well with others. Suddenly, it seemed as if our goal is to turn out students who are technology and thinking proficient to compete with the Chinese and Indians and others who will knock the US into second world nation state status if schools don't catch up. Baloney.
Conclusion: The focus of schools needs to be what it has been the goal for over 30 years. To produce students who can independently think, think critically, work cooperatively, and problem solve. These ideas didn't suddenly appear. Sure, the medium has changed in that they will be working with digital tools more than kids did in 1985 or 1995. But the goal hasn't changed one bit. We still refer to theorists from decades ago...Vygotsky, Dewey, Deutch...
Here's a grenade to throw: For many teachers who are late adapters of technology and whom it is a struggle to get them to use digital tools to foster these ideas, we shouldn't bother. I would argue it might be more important from them to effectively develop critical thinking, cooperative learning, and analysis skills for their students with paper and chalk rather than do it marginally with a SMART Board and a laptop.
Critical thinking is useful only in those situations where human beings need to solve problems, make decisions, or decide in a reasonable and reflective way what to believe or what to do. In other words, just about everywhere and all the time. Critical thinking is important wherever the quality of human thinking significantly impacts the quality of life (of any sentient creature). For example, success in human life is tied to success in learning. At the same time, every phase in the learning process is tied to critical thinking. Thus, reading, writing, speaking, and listening can all be done critically or uncritically. Critical thinking is crucial to becoming a close reader and a substantive writer. Expressed most generally, critical thinking is “a way of taking up the problems of life.” (William Graham Sumner, Folkways, 1906)
That was from 100 years ago. I think it is still pertinent today.
Professor-
I never thought about older teachers that way. I do agree that some of them are better left alone. A veteran may be better with chalk than a foreign and intimidating toole like the Smart Board. However,it scares me that unitl this year, we still had teacher who photo-copied their handwritten lesson plans from year to year and did not know how to double click on an icon.
I agree that critical thinking and problem solving should always be at the top of the list, but with the 21st century, it feels like we are about to get cought up in the next new trend. My questions is how to balance addressing needs of the future generation while keeping in mind basic life skills?
I think we take for granted all of the technological resources that we use on a daily bases, and for some veteran teachers, the switch to a "wired" environment can be tough and breed resistance. I cannot believe how many teachers are involved in the "Intro to Email" classes that are offered at school by our tech guys...sometimes I think, how are these people getting anything done? I really agree with the idea of infusing technology into the classroom and reinforcing basic skills. What good is being able to sign-in to your email account if you can't write a coherent, thoughtful message?
Wow!!!!
You need to show this at our next meeting.
OK, I need better tech skills--that was a response to your video....*sigh*
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