What an intriguing question! In our EME 5050 graduate class, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to discuss the topic of extreme technological advancements in our world today. After watching Fisch and McLeod's video, Did You Know, many points were made to show how far technological advancements have come in our world, yet certain schools and states are so far behind, caught in an extreme technological gap. This is not only true in the state of Iowa, but nation-wide in the classrooms of America.
The school that I currently teach at is an older school (opened in 1998) with the original technology still used today. Slowly, we are experiencing a technology turn-around. By this school year, every classroom will have a SMART board and a document camera to use. In the near future, we will replace the old computers with flat screens, creating more labs for students to use. It is vital for schools to stay up to date in our ever-changing world.
Another current issue in our world is whether or not teachers implement the technology that they may have in their classroom. As a newer teacher, I try to infuse as much technology in my classroom to accommodate my students the most. Technology-rich lessons are a must to keep students hooked into learning in today's world. If teachers are going to stay up to date on technology with their students, they may need to jump out of their comfort zone, performing tasks that are not as convenient as older teaching methods.
Due to the constant technological advancements in our world today, our classrooms are much different than just 15 years ago. We currently live in a society where students need to be edutained, not educated, due to a stress on technology. Hopefully all educators will do what's best for their students, not what is most convenient for them.
